Murder suspect makes first appearance

A 19-year-old man charged last month with second-degree murder made his first appearance in Lethbridge provincial court Monday.

Simon Danny Scout appeared by closed-circuit TV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, where he has been in custody since his arrest in November.

Lethbridge lawyer Tyler Raymond, acting as agent for the accused’s lawyer, told court defence still needs to receive disclosure from the Crown’s office, and the matter was adjourned to Jan. 12.

Scout, along with 23-year-old Rylan James Twigg, is charged in connection to the death of 45-year-old Kenrick Leonard First Rider, who was killed at his northside home Nov. 27.

At 7:20 a.m. that day Lethbridge EMS attended at a home in the 1200 block of 9 Avenue North, where they found First Rider's body. Police were contacted and determined First Rider had been involved in a verbal dispute with two men at the home. The dispute escalated to a physical altercation in which First Rider was killed.

Twigg, who also faces one count of seconddegree murder, was arrested the same day when he went to the police station in connection with First Rider's death. His next court hearing is scheduled for Friday. Scout was arrested later in the day after a warrant was issued and police received some tips from the public.

Police said Twigg is the son of the victim's girlfriend, and the victim and both accused were living together in the same house. Police had been called to the home for disturbances in the past.