High-profile southern Alberta cases hit the courtroom

By Trevor Busch
Vauxhall Advance
tbusch@tabertimes.com

Attempted murder suspect goes on tirade

A 45-year-old Taberite facing three counts of attempted murder in relation to a weekend stabbing assault at a home near Grassy Lake has had his case adjourned to Oct. 13.

Patrick Leo McGann appeared in Taber provincial court for a bail hearing yesterday via CCTV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre. McGann did not seek his release, and was remanded in custody until his next court appearance.

During the course of proceedings yesterday, when addressing the court McGann made a series of profane and derogatory comments, and was ordered removed from the court room by Judge S.L. Oishi, but was allowed to remain under the supervision of corrections officers.

On Sunday morning, Taber/Vauxhall RCMP responded to a call at a residence five kilometres west of Grassy Lake. RCMP found three adults had been stabbed at a family gathering. A 28-year-old male victim has since been released from hospital, while a 55-year-old male and a 46-year-old female victim remain in hospital. Neither victim has life threatening injuries.

Taber police conducted a high-risk traffic stop and arrested the suspect at the Taber Tim Hortons drive-thru later Sunday morning.

McGann is also charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Murder case adjourned until November

A second-degree murder charge being faced by a Saskatchewan man in connection with a recent homicide north of Taber has been adjourned to Nov. 3.

Stacey Charles Wahpistikwan of Big Island Cree Territory was represented in Taber provincial court on Tuesday by attorney Greg White, who requested disclosure from Crown prosecutor Michael Fox.

Last month, Taber/Vauxhall RCMP discovered the body of 36-year-old Silas Lorne Kiseyinewakup near a farm north of Taber where he worked. Police found the body while responding to a complaint of a disturbance and possible missing person. An autopsy has been completed but the results have not yet been released.

Police say 38-year-old Wahpistikwan, who is also charged with one count of interfering with a dead body, knew the deceased.

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