A Red Deer man facing first-degree murder and arson charges in connection with a fatal 2022 fire in West Park will have a jury trial next May.
Richard Raymond was ordered to stand trial last a month by a Red Deer Court of Justice judge after a two-day preliminary hearing that began in April and finished on May 15. A jury trial in Red Deer Court of King’s Bench is set to begin May 13, 2024.
RCMP said they were called to a structure fire about 3:30 a.m. on March 31, 2022 on 39th Street near 54th Avenue in West Park.
Red Deer Emergency Services determined the fire started in the basement of a multi-unit residence. A man and a woman were found inside a unit and taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The 21-year-old woman died from her injuries in hospital.
Raymond Richard, then-37, was later released from hospital and then arrested by police. Richard is charged with first-degree murder and committing arson with disregard for human life.
