Murder trial date set in death of baby

CITY MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING GIRLFRIEND’S BABY

A trial has finally been scheduled for a Lethbridge man accused of killing his girlfriend’s baby nearly two years ago.

Tyler Brian Hogan’s jury trial is set to begin Dec. 10, but it’s still unclear when it will end.

During a hearing Monday in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench the judge was told the trial is scheduled to run until Dec. 21, but the Crown suggested it may be necessary to add another week.

Justice D.K. Miller was “taken aback” by the unexpected announcement, and insisted the Crown provide during a pre-trial conference next month exact trial dates, a witness list and estimated times witnesses will be expected to testify.

Miller also expressed some displeasure in the “frustrating process” getting trial dates from defence, which has also led to delays in getting the case to trial.

In addition to the actual trial, a voir dire — a mini trial to determine whether certain evidence should be allowed in the trial proper — is scheduled for June 18-22.

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.