(rdnewsNOW / Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman

COVID-19 Delay

New preliminary hearing dates set for accused accomplice in fatal Red Deer shooting

May 17, 2021 | 2:52 PM

New preliminary hearing dates have been set for a central Alberta woman over her alleged involvement in a fatal shooting in Red Deer in 2019.

Crystal Lee Maurice, 31, of Red Deer, will see if her case has enough evidence to go to trial when her preliminary hearing takes place Dec. 16-17, 2021.

The hearing was previously scheduled for May 12-13, but was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols cancelling all out-of-custody trials.

Maurice, who continues to reside at a sober living facility in Edmonton, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder, failing to stop while being pursued by a police officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and theft of a motor vehicle in the Dec. 20, 2019 shooting death of 69-year-old C.J. “Jim” Williams.

That’s when RCMP responded to the south Walmart in Red Deer where Williams had suffered a gunshot wound in the store’s parking lot after being confronted by a masked man with a gun in what police believe was intended to be a robbery.

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Williams was rushed to Red Deer Regional Hospital where he died from his injuries.

Mounties say their investigation determined the suspect then fired two additional shots at two other people while fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle being driven by a woman.

Police say the suspects then drove to Rimbey, where a second vehicle was stolen before the two vehicles made their way back towards Sylvan Lake where both were disabled with a spike belt near Highways 20 and 11A.

RCMP say the female suspect was arrested at the scene, while the male suspect was apprehended following a short foot chase.

Chase Freed, 19, is charged with second-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder, failing to stop while being pursued by a police officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and theft of a motor vehicle.

Freed, still in custody at the Edmonton Remand Centre, is scheduled to have a 19-day jury trial June 6-30, 2022.

There had previously been talks of a possible resolution in the case between the Crown and defence to avoid going to trial.

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