Manslaughter charge laid in fatal assault near homeless shelter

The suspect in an assault near a Calgary homeless shelter is now facing a manslaughter charge, after the victim died. Tyler Scott Ryan Lindsay appeared briefly in Calgary provincial court Tuesday to face the new allegation.

Crown prosecutor Kane Richards asked Judge Lloyd Robertson to transfer “process” from the court information charging Lindsay with aggravated assault, to a new document alleging manslaughter. Defence counsel Shaun Leochko, acting as agent for Lindsay’s lawyer, Gloria Froese, asked that the case be adjourned to Friday, so the accused can be seen by a court psychiatrist.

Such examinations are routine where mental-health issues may be a factor and, if a doctor deems it warranted, can result in a 30-day assessment being ordered by the court to determine if an accused is fit to stand trial.

Lindsay, 36, of no fixed address, was originally charged with aggravated assault in connection with the Sept. 21 incident near the Calgary Drop-In and Rehab Centre.

The mid-afternoon assault sent 63-year-old Vinh Duc Chung to hospital in life-threatening condition.

Chung died of his injuries Oct. 4 and homicide detectives took over the investigation, with police indicating at the time an upgraded charge, likely to second-degree murder, would be forthcoming.

While murder carries an automatic life sentence without parole for a minimum 10 years, manslaughter sentences can range from probation to life, although either extreme is rare. Lindsay remains in custody pending an unscheduled bail hearing.