Murder case may continue in August

A preliminary hearing for a man accused of killing a baby last year may not resume for another three months.

The hearing for Tyler Brian Hogan was adjourned April 24 after only three days of hearings in Lethbridge provincial court. The hearing was adjourned to allow time for the Crown and defence to receive medical evidence connected with the case.

Thursday the matter was back in court where defence indicated the preliminary hearing may continue Aug. 1418 pending confirmation of the judge’s schedule. The case returns in a week to confirm the dates.

The preliminary hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence to warrant a trial. The case is being tried by a Calgary Crown prosecutor and heard by a judge from another jurisdiction to avoid any conflict of interest or perceived prejudice since the accused is the son of a retired Lethbridge provincial court judge.

A court-ordered ban prohibits the publication of any evidence presented during the preliminary hearing.

Hogan is charged with second-degree murder in the death of nine-month-old Austin Lucas Wright, who died from blunt force trauma April 28, 2016.

Lethbridge EMS went to a residence in the 600 block of 17 Street North after receiving a report that a baby boy was in medical distress. The baby was not breathing and in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived, and was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police allege the baby’s mother had left her boyfriend to care for the baby while she was at work. The child began crying and was assaulted.

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