Court proceedings continue against two men accused with attempted murder after a shooting in downtown Ponoka on Sept. 21, 2022, near the Leland Hotel.
Eldon James Saddleback Junior, a resident of Maskwacis, and Anthony Kelsey Lee Omeasoo, a resident of Wetaskiwin, were later apprehended in Banff, Alta.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for March 5, 2024, at the Ponoka Court of Justice.
However, Omeasoo now has a court date on April 29 in Wetaskiwin for a summary disposition (a judgement without a full trial), and Saddleback is set to have his preliminary hearing from Jan. 14 to 15, 2025 in Ponoka.
READ MORE: Two attempted murder suspects in Ponoka shooting arrested in Banff
Ruf-Dietz
Brianna Ruf-Dietz, 34, is charged with the first/second degree murder of Tyler Johnson, 26, of Grande Prairie.
Johnson’s remains were found in a burned down house near Ermineskin Cree Nation on March 8, 2021.
Ruf-Dietz has a court date on April 26, to speak to the Edmonton Court of King’s Bench.
Saddleback
Connor Diamond Royce Saddleback, 29, has been charged with aggravated assault, unlawful confinement and threats to cause death/bodily harm, stemming from an incident on Feb. 24, 2022.
A trial has been scheduled for Oct. 1 to 3, 2024, in Edmonton.
Attempted murder
The preliminary hearing for a pair charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, and failing to comply with release conditions has been set over for next fall.
The hearing for Cree Lightfoot and Tracy Lightfoot was originally set for March 15, at the Ponoka Court of Justice.
The new court date is now Nov. 15, at the Wetaskiwin Court of Justice.
Lightning
Kieran Keith Lightning was charged with the second degree murder in relation to a homicide in Samson Cree Nation on Sept. 9, 2022.
After a preliminary hearing from March 25 to 28, at the Wetaskiwin Court of Justice, Lightning was committed to stand trial.
The jury trial has been set for Dec. 9 to 20, 2024, in Wetaskiwin.