Hearing to resume in baby death case

A preliminary hearing for a man accused of killing a baby last year will continue later this summer as expected.

The Crown and defence confirmed Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court that the preliminary hearing for Tyler Brian Hogan will resume Aug. 14-17. The matter had to be adjourned April 24 after only three days of hearings to allow time for the Crown and defence to receive medical evidence connected with the case.

Last week lawyers suggested the hearing would likely resume in August, but the date was not set until they confirmed the judge would be available.

A preliminary hearing is typically held to determine whether there is enough evidence to warrant a trial. The case is being tried 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.