(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Sheldon Spackman

brief court appearance

Co-accused in fatal Red Deer Walmart shooting finds lawyer

Jan 8, 2020 | 1:28 PM

A woman co-accused in the fatal shooting of a Red Deer man at a local Walmart last month now has legal representation.

Crystal Lee Maurice, 30, of Red Deer, remains in custody and will be represented by defence lawyer Andrew Phypers.

However, Randy MacDonald, acting as agent for Andrew Phypers, told Red Deer provincial court Judge Jim Mitchell on Wednesday that Phypers would need time to review disclosure, so Maurice’s case has been adjourned until Jan. 22.

Maurice is charged with accessory after the fact to murder, flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and theft of a motor vehicle in relation to the Dec. 20, 2019 incident.

That’s when RCMP responded to a shooting that took place around 6:45 p.m. at Red Deer’s south Walmart location following what police believe was a failed attempted robbery. The shooting fatally wounded 69-year-old Charles (Jim) Williams of Red Deer.

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Police say two other people nearby were also shot at before the suspect fled in a vehicle driven by another individual.

Maurice is alleged to have driven the get-away vehicle – a stolen SUV that police tracked to the Rimbey area where a second vehicle was stolen.

Mounties arrested both suspects about three hours later in the Sylvan Lake area, near the round-about at Highway 11A and Highway 20.

Chase Freed, 18, of Red Deer, has been charged with second-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder while using a firearm, failing to stop while being pursued by a police officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and theft of a motor vehicle.

Freed, who appeared in Red Deer provincial court on Monday through CCTV, is in the process of applying for legal aid and has yet to secure a lawyer. He remains in custody at the Edmonton Remand Centre with his next scheduled court appearance set for Feb. 18.