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Accused pleads guilty to west side shooting

Nov 28, 2016 | 11:28 AM

LETHBRIDGE – A former Lethbridge man has admitted to a number of charges in connection with a west side shooting two years ago.

Jesse Dallas Hills, 26, pleaded guilty to discharging a firearm into a home, pointing a firearm at another person, possession of a firearm without a license and damaging property under $5,000.

Around midnight on May 6, 2014, Hills admitted that he was significantly intoxicated by drugs and alcohol. He began walking in the area of Mount Rundle Way and Mount Rundle Road West, carrying a baseball bat and a rifle.

An individual leaving a party in his car observed Hills – who he did not know – and as he passed, Hills swung the bat at his vehicle, but missed. The driver stopped and turned back, at which point Hills fired a shot. Believing the shot was at him, the driver then fled the area and called 911.

Hills proceeded to attempt to gain entry to a vehicle, and after failing he smashed out all the windows with his bat.

Neighbours who had been awoken by the incident then saw Hills approach a home and fire a shot through the living room window. The family of four inside fled to the basement, where they waited until police arrived at the scene and took Hills into custody.

The defence noted that Hills doesn’t remember any of what happened that night because of his level of intoxication, and when asked by the judge if he agreed with all of the facts presented to the court, he replied, “From what I’ve been told, that’s what happened.”

Defence lawyer, Greg White, then noted that they intend to launch a constitutional challenge of the mandatory minimums for sentencing for firearms offences, asking that the matter be adjourned. He also asked that a pre-sentence report be prepared for Hills.

A date will be set for the challenge and sentencing on January 23, 2017.