Still no trial date in murder case

Lawyers have yet to set a trial date for a man accused of killing his girlfriend’s baby nearly two years ago.

Despite Tyler Brian Hogan’s commital in December to stand trial following a preliminary hearing several months earlier, the Crown and defence are still trying to find dates to hold a lengthy trial in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench.

During a hearing Monday, Calgary Crown prosecutor Mac Vomberg said five weeks would be required, including one week for voir dire, a sort of mini trial within a trial to examine evidence that may be admitted to the trial proper.

Vomberg pointed out a pre-trial conference with the judge is scheduled for Jan. 24 for lawyers to discuss issues. The case will then return Feb. 12 when Hogan could be arraigned and trial dates set.

Hogan is charged with the murder of 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 in cardiac arrest and not breathing when paramedics arrived, and he was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police said 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. Police reported the man, who is not the baby’s biological father, initially said the baby had just stopped breathing.

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.

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