Manslaughter case may be resolved without trial

A Lethbridge man who is scheduled to stand trial later this year for manslaughter may not face trial after all.

The accused, James Gregory Gurney, was in Lethbridge provincial court last week where he faced a charge of breaching court orders. That matter was adjourned to March 16, however, after Gurney’s lawyer told court they will try to resolve the more serious charge.

Gurney, 39, is set to stand trial Oct. 2-13, but it will be cancelled if Gurney’s lawyer and the Crown can agree on an alternative disposition before then. Gurney was arraigned during a court appearance Aug. 22 in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench where he pleaded not guilty to a single charge of manslaughter.

The accused was charged after Clifford George Good Dagger was found unconscious from an assault in a southside alley Aug. 31, 2015. He was taken to hospital but died the next day.

An investigation by LPS revealed Gurney and Good Dagger resided in the same assisted-living residence near the location of the assault and were known to each other. Police said there were several previous conflicts between the two men.

Gurney was granted bail last October with several conditions, including he obey a daily curfew from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. But the following month he was back in custody on a charge of breaching conditions of his recognizance.

Gurney’s bid for freedom a second time was denied in December and he’s been in custody ever since while waiting for his trial by judge and jury in October.