A man accused of assault causing bodily harm loudly proclaimed his innocence during a brief video appearance in Red Deer provincial court on Wednesday.
Dixon Bergseth, 33, of Red Deer was charged with assault causing bodily harm and breaching release conditions after a Dec. 22 standoff with police in West Park.
Bergseth, who was appearing from Red Deer Remand Centre through a video link, voiced his displeasure with the assault charge after having his charges read to him by the court clerk.
“I don’t understand why I was charged with assault when I didn’t assault nobody,” he said.
Judge Darrell Riemer quickly cut him off, saying this was not the time to hear the circumstances of his alleged offences.
Court duty counsel Mollie McVey told the judge that Bergseth had applied for legal aid and asked the case be adjourned until Friday, when bail will also be addressed.
RCMP were called to a West Park home about 11:20 a.m. with a report of possible domestic abuse at a home near 39th Street and 55th Avenue.
A woman was allegedly assaulted and suffered minor injuries, said RCMP. A standoff ensued when police went to arrest a suspect.
Nearby streets were blocked off and the emergency response team was called in.
A suspect was taken into custody about 5:20 p.m. shortly after a stun grenade was set off by police.