The first suspect to seek bail in a Rocky Mountain House area murder case was denied release in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench on Thursday.
Cameron Paul Strawberry, 37, of the O’Chiese First Nation reserve near Rocky was denied bail by Justice Ged Hawco following the hearing, which was subject to a publication ban.
The reasons for the denial can’t be published as well.
Strawberry is one of six accused who will be tried together in connection with the death of Gordon Marlice Strawberry, 45, of the O’Chiese, located 53 km northwest of Rocky.
Gordon Strawberry was found dead on Sept. 18 outside a reserve residence.
All the accused are charged with second-degree murder and remain in custody.
Terrence Andy Beaverbones, 21, will be the second accused to have a bail hearing, set for Tuesday in Queen’s Bench.
Other bail reviews are tentatively set for early in the New Year.
The applications for bail reviews have been delayed because of the time needed by the police to gather information, court heard earlier. Police had to interview about 50 people.
Six lawyers representing the accused and Crown prosecutors will meet on Dec. 30 by a phone conference to look for ways to streamline a preliminary hearing, including security logistics in the small Rocky courthouse.
The court set Jan. 5 as a possible date to fix the preliminary hearing, which must be held in Rocky and will take four to five weeks.
Preliminaries are held to determine if there’s enough evidence to warrant the accused stand trial.
Darcy John Lightfoot, 30, Evan Everest Foureyes, 21, Jenny Olivia Beaverbones, 26, and Malvina Jean Beaverbones, 36, are also charged.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com