A much-prolonged trial for a Red Deer woman accused of killing a Grande Prairie man in 2021 is slowly moving forward.
Brianna Lindsay Ruf-Deitz, 35, has been charged with the first/second degree murder of Tyler Johnson, 26.
After several adjournments between Oct. 2021 and April 2023, a jury trial for Ruf-Deitz had began on March 4, 2024, at the Wetaskiwin Court of King’s Bench. The trial was scheduled to last until March 15, but was adjourned on March 8.
The trial continuation was rescheduled to Feb. 3, 2025, and then to March 4 to 7, 2025.
According to the Court of King's Bench Alberta, the matter is now back in King's Bench Appearance Court to set a date for further submissions (additional arguments or new information) for the trial.
The next court date is set for March 28, at the Edmonton Court of King's Bench.
Johnson was last heard from on Jan. 12, 2021. His last-known locations were south Edmonton, Wetaskiwin and Maskwacis.
His remains were found in a burned-down house near Ermineskin Cree Nation on March 8, 2021 and were identified in October, 2021.
Following the investigation, Ruf-Deitz, who was a resident of Red Deer at the time, was arrested on Oct. 12, 2021, in Edmonton and charged in connection to Johnson's death.
