A Calgary man arrested in connection with a brawl that left a man dead and another seriously wounded in Lacombe last December will stand trial on assault charges.
A preliminary hearing for Jesse Vankroonenburgh, 24, was held in Red Deer provincial court on Thursday with a number of witnesses testifying.
Following the hearing, Judge John Holmes committed Vankroonenburgh to stand trial on charges of aggravated assault and assault with a weapon. Vankroonenburgh also consented to go to trial on two charges of failing to comply with a court order.
Lacombe Police Service said they were called to a local residence near 53rd Street and 51st Avenue shortly after midnight on Dec. 9. Police found a man, who died of his wounds at the scene, and a second man seriously injured.
Vankroonenbugh was later charged in connection with the injured man.
Preliminary hearings are optional and can be used to test part or all of Crown’s evidence before proceeding to a higher court.
All evidence presented at the hearing is subject to a publication ban.
Vankroonenburgh will be arraigned on Dec. 5 and a trial date set in Court of Queen’s Bench. He is not in custody.
A Lacombe Police Service spokesperson was not available on Thursday to provide an update on whether anyone has been charged in connection with the man who died.