A warrant was issued in Stettler on Tuesday for a man who was allegedly shot as he attempted to steal an ATV at a rural residence last spring.
Harold Groening, 31, formerly of Mirror, was set to have a trial in provincial court on three charges, but he never showed.
Groening faces two counts of theft and a single count of possession of stolen property.
This is the second warrant issued for Groening.
A witness warrant was issued for him in September when he failed to appear for the trial of co-accused Kyle Rosenthal, 23, of Alix.
Meanwhile, a preliminary hearing for Brian Russell Knight, 38, of Tees is now set for June 17 in Stettler provincial court because his preliminary couldn’t proceed without Groening. It had been set for November.
Authorities believe Groening is living in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.
Knight faces charges of unlawful use of a firearm, pointing a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon, assault with a weapon, criminal negligence causing injury, dangerous driving and unauthorized possession of a firearm.
A Red Deer judge ruled a few months ago that the Knight trial is peremptory on the Crown. In other words, if Groening can’t be produced, the charges against Knight could be dropped.
Groening was allegedly wounded with two blasts from a shotgun.
Knight was charged after it was alleged he chased down and shot one of three men with a shotgun blast. It’s alleged the men were discovered in Knight’s farm yard in the early morning of April 20 attempting to steal an ATV.
The injured man was treated and released with injuries to his back and side.
Rosenthal is charged with theft under $5,000, for a quad, theft over $5,000, for a truck, and possession of stolen property.
A trial date is still to be set for Nick Dewald, 22, of Alix, charged with theft under $5,000 in the incident.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com