New trial dates set for man accused of drunk-driving crash

A new trial date has been set for a Cypress County man accused of impaired driving in December 2015, leading to a head-on collision sending multiple people to hospital, including a newborn.

Curtis Beisel pled not guilty in October 2016 to numerous charges that stemmed from the incident. A trial date was set for earlier this year, but due to Beisel not having secured counsel, and then needing time to bring new counsel up to speed, the trial was postponed.

The new date is set for Nov. 27, 30 and Dec. 1.

Homicide case

A brief appearance and adjournment occurred Thursday for a man charged in the death of a Medicine Hat woman last November, as defence counsel awaits disclosure that includes the autopsy report.

Noah Harrison Bentley appeared before court by CCTV Tuesday, with his matters adjourned to July 13. A pretrial conference is also set for that morning, to decide on a preliminary hearing date.

Bentley was charged Nov. 12 following the death of Brenda Woloski. He has been in custody since, and has not yet had a bail hearing. He has not entered a plea to the charge. Earlier this year, he was sent for assessment in Calgary as to whether he could be held criminally responsible.

Trafficking bail

One of several people arrested by Medicine Hat police in recent weeks following a two-month drug trafficking investigation was granted bail.

A judge granted Daniel Chrysler’s release on $500 cash, with bail conditions of curfew, reporting to police and no contact with others also arrested by police in the same investigation.

Chrysler is charged with one count of trafficking meth and possessing proceeds of crime. His next appearance is set for July 27.

Bail granted

Bail was granted to a Manitoba woman arrested with two others in Medicine Hat in connection with stolen property.

Elizabeth Racette was granted release from custody on $500 cash, with the requirements that she remain in Medicine Hat and live with a relative — a relative that she had travelled from Manitoba to here to live with in the hopes of accessing local drug treatment programs.

Racette was arrested June 6 alongside Steven James Fontaine and another man. They came to the police’s attention after the two men allegedly stole from a local convenience store. Police located the three the next day, with the vehicle they were in having been reported stolen in Winnipeg, and the licence plate also stolen. Racette and Fontaine fled from police, although were apprehended soon after.

The third man entered guilty pleas to shoplifting and breaching his bail conditions soon after. Fontaine was denied bail earlier this month. He also appeared in court June 29, adjourning to Aug. 2