Guilty plea ahead of trial in fatal Red Deer shooting

That’s when Red Deer RCMP were called to the south Walmart in Red Deer, where a man 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.

The victim, 69-year-old C.J. “Jim” 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.

Crystal Lee Maurice, 32, was scheduled to have a two-day preliminary hearing in Red Deer provincial court Dec. 16-17, 2021 in relation to the incidents. However, she waived her right to a preliminary hearing on Dec. 16, and pleaded guilty to two of four counts against her.

Maurice was sentenced to six months in jail for theft of a motor vehicle. Court heard that theft took place the day before the shooting. Maurice admitted to stealing the vehicle of an acquaintance who was trying to help her on Dec. 19, 2019.

That sentence, however, was satisfied by 180 days of time already spent behind bars after Judge Bert Skinner gave her one and a half times credit for time served.

Maurice was also given a 12-month Conditional Sentence Order (CSO), and 12 month driving prohibition, followed by 12 months of probation after pleading guilty to failing to stop while being pursued by a police officer.

Both the CSO and probation contained a long list of conditions for Maurice to adhere to, including house arrest for the first three months, a curfew, and having no contact with her co-accused (Chase Freed), among others.

Two other counts against Maurice, including accessory after the fact to murder, and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, were withdrawn.

Prior to sentencing, defence lawyer Andrew Phypers noted Maurice’s addiction to methamphetamine at the time of the incident, but highlighted her rehabilitation efforts since then and her recent graduation from the RESET program in Calgary.

According to the organization’s website, RESET provides immediate and safe supportive housing, allowing women to stabilize and begin the process of healing. It also supports each woman’s progress through transitional housing to independent living as the women graduate through the organization’s EXIT Program.

Phypers said at the time that the mother of five who now lives in Rocky Mountain House, is currently a house mom and peer mentor for other women in the RESET program.

by Sheldon Spackman

Guilty plea ahead of trial in fatal Red Deer shooting

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