The five people charged in a stolen firearms ring will head to at preliminary inquiry.
Three of the five, who have defence counsel, elected on Thursday to be tried in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench, after an inquiry. Preliminary inquiries test the strength of the Crown’s case before heading to trial.
Defence counsels Patty MacNaughton and Will Willms entered the elections before Judge Bert Skinner in Red Deer provincial court for their clients, Stephanie Dawn Hughes, 31, and Joseph Daniel Swain, 30. As well, MacNaughton entered a similar election for Paul Morigeau’s client Angie Faye Deneff, 33.
The remaining accused, Amanda Dawn Fox, 31, and Joseph Russell Sinclair, 26, were represented by duty counsel on Thursday. Their election and plea was postponed until April 16 to allow them to seek counsel.
To keep the matter together, all five accused will appear in Red Deer provincial court on April 16.