Members of the Kraft family and their friends were joined outside the Red Deer Court House on March 4 by members of the group, Justice for All. They're hoping to raise awareness around the need for stronger sentences for those who commit serious crimes in Canada and are also calling for a fit sentence in the Dec. 15, 2019 shooting death of 20-year-old Jeffery Kraft of Ponoka. (rdnewsNOW / Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman

victim's Family Frustrated

New delay in Lacombe murder case could lead to change in guilty plea

Mar 25, 2021 | 12:37 PM

The family of a young Ponoka man fatally shot near Lacombe is expressing frustration once again towards Canada’s justice system.

In Red Deer provincial court on Thursday, there was another delay in the case of Tyler John Campbell, 28, of Lacombe. Campbell pleaded guilty to manslaughter last November in the shooting death of 20-year-old Jeffery Kraft on Dec. 15, 2019.

Court heard Thursday that Campbell will likely request an application to vacate his guilty plea, setting up the possibility for a trial.

This after a joint Crown and defence submission for a seven-year prison sentence for Campbell was twice rejected by Judge Jim Hunter.

Kraft’s sister Caitlin describes Campbell’s anticipated application as a stall tactic.

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“Here we are stalling yet again, retracting his plea and looking for new counsel,” she said.

“How are we supposed to get on with our lives?” asked Carrie Cocke, Kraft’s mother. “Is there ever going to be justice for our side? Our justice system is a joke.”

“I just hope Judge Jim Hunter puts his foot down and sentences him,” added Kraft’s father Allen. “He took a life, he deserves to go to jail for life.”

Campbell’s lawyer Michael Scrase told court the matter is now at a point where it’s imperative for Campbell to seek new representation – a process Scrase noted has already started.

The case returns to court April 6, where it’s expected Campbell will ask Hunter for an application to vacate his guilty plea and speak to having a new lawyer in place.

Should that happen, a date would be set for Hunter to approve or deny the application. Should he approve it, a date would be set for a preliminary hearing. If Hunter were to deny an application, a date for sentencing could be set.

Campbell’s co-accused in the incident, 22 year-old Amie Rogers, of Lacombe, saw her counts withdrawn last November following a preliminary hearing to determine if her case had enough evidence to go to trial.

Related: Man who pleaded guilty in Ponoka man’s shooting death still considering options

Related: Judge again rejects sentencing submission in shooting death of Ponoka man