Suspects in second-degree murder case hear charges

Charges against two Lethbridge men accused of the city’s second murder this year were in Lethbridge court for the first time Monday.

Jason Paul James Crane Chief and Justin Robert Adel White Cow, who are in isolation at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, did not personally appear in court. White Cow was represented by Lethbridge lawyer Claudia Connolly while duty counsel lawyer Brett Carlson represented Crane Chief, who has not yet retained a lawyer.

Crane Chief, 27, was arrested May 1, four days after police responded to a report of an injured man at an apartment building in the 1200 block of 4 Avenue South. Police and EMS found the body of a 43-year-old man inside one of the units.

Investigators determined that during the evening of April 26 the victim had been inside his apartment socializing with acquaintances when a fight broke out. When a friend arrived at the victim’s apartment the following day the man was unresponsive and his friend called for help.

During a subsequent news conference, police confirmed a weapon was used during the fight and drugs were present at the social gathering.

White Cow, 33, was arrested on May 5 and also charged with second-degree murder.

Both accused are scheduled to appear in court next Tuesday.

The murder is the city’s second this year.

The first was in February when a 35-year-old man was shot at a residence in the 200 block of University Drive West. Police said the shooting was targeted, and the individuals involved were arguing over drugs when the victim was shot and killed.

An arrest warrant was issued for 29-year-old Mohamud

Omar Dhiblawe of Toronto, who is charged with seconddegree murder. He was arrested in Regina in March during an unrelated drug bust at a residence.

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