Bail decision expected for man accused in stabbing

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on July 23, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 34-year-old man charged in relation to a stabbing last month expects to find out today if a judge will release him on bail.

A bail hearing was held last week for Christopher David Smith, who is charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon. At the conclusion of the bail hearing, however, justice Erin Olsen reserved her decision.

Even though the Crown is opposed to Smith’s release, the accused had hoped to be released last Friday, and his lawyer recommended an individual who could act as surety to ensure Smith doesn’t breach any conditions of a release order. However, the judge became concerned about the bail plan after she was told Smith was planning to live at his own residence, and not with the surety.

Police reported last month that just before noon on June 9 they responded to a report of an injured man in front of a business in the 1100 block of Mayor Magrath Drive South. Officers found the man, who was suffering from life-threatening injuries, and he was taken to hospital then transferred by STARS air ambulance to Calgary in critical, but stable condition.

Police determined the man was stabbed multiple times during an altercation with another man in an alley behind the business. The assailant left the area on foot before police arrived, but witnesses provided a description and he was found shortly after in the 2800 block of Parkside Drive South.

The man refused to cooperate with police and resisted arrest. Police discharged two, less-lethal sock rounds, and the man was consequently taken into custody without further incident. A knife was seized from the man during a search.

Police said the assault was not a random incident, and the victim and subject were known to each other in passing and had seen one another earlier in the day.