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Judge and Jury Trial

Trial dates set for Innisfail councillor facing charges

Feb 1, 2021 | 4:33 PM

A five-day trial is scheduled to take place next year for an Innisfail town councilor facing sexual assault-related charges.

In Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench on Monday, defense lawyer Kevin Sproule informed Justice David A. Labrenz that his client Donald D. Hill has elected to be tried by judge and jury.

The trial has been scheduled for Jan. 17 – 21, 2022.

Hill faces counts of sexual assault, unlawful confinement, assault, and criminal harassment in relation to alleged offenses occurring between 2013 – 2015.

A publication ban is in place regarding the alleged victim’s identifying information.

Hill was previously charged with mischief – damage under $5,000 in relation to a separate alleged incident on June 28, 2020.

According to court documents, Hill did not plead guilty to the charge but did enroll in alternative measures, which he completed in December, 2020.

In November of last year, Innisfail town council initiated an external, independent investigation of matters associated with councillor Hill’s upholding of council’s code of conduct.

The results of that initial review were shared with council last month.

However, Town officials say the code of conduct investigation remains ongoing regarding other matters, with the understanding that further information will be presented to council at a future meeting.

Hill is serving his first term on Innisfail town council after being elected in 2017.