Overview
- The case stems from a Aug. 6, 2024 incident on a rural road east of Calgary in which Rocky View County worker Colin Hough was shot dead and FortisAlberta worker Mark Andres was shot and had his truck set on fire.
- Prosecutors say the evidence shows two shooters acted together, citing video of Hough’s final minutes, a .45-calibre bullet found where he collapsed, a nine-millimetre casing near where Andres was wounded, and DNA links placed both accused at the scene.
- Defence lawyers told jurors the Crown’s case is circumstantial, noted gaps in direct identification and declined to call witnesses, arguing the prosecution has not proved guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Justice Shane Parker removed the attempted-murder charge related to Andres from the trial on May 27 but left second-degree murder and two armed-robbery counts against Arthur Penner and Elijah Strawberry in place.
- After closing arguments were heard May 28 the judge gave jurors legal instructions and the 12-member jury began deliberations on May 29 to decide guilt and the next legal steps for the accused.