By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Trial date set for Lethbridge man accused of killing infant

Feb 12, 2018 | 11:10 AM

LETHBRIDGE – A two-week trial has been scheduled for a Lethbridge man, accused in the 2016 death of nine-month old Austin Wright.

A lawyer appearing for Tyler Brian Hogan confirmed the dates in court on Monday, Feb. 12, setting the judge and jury trial to run between Dec. 10 – 21, 2018.

The week of June 18 – 22, 2018, was also booked for a voir dire – a trial within a trial that examines certain issues, which will be covered under a publication ban.

After the dates were set, an agent speaking on behalf of Crown prosecutor Mac Vomberg, stated that they have concerns that another week may be required for the trial. In response, Justice Dallas Miller said he was taken aback by the request. He said Vomberg must submit in writing an explanation of why the extra time is needed, a list of witnesses the Crown intends to call in the voir dire and the trial, and the estimated time for each. They will then discuss it at a pre-trial conference in March.

Hogan consented to proceed to trial in December on a charge of second degree murder, following a two-part preliminary hearing that went over the evidence in the case – also covered by a publication ban.

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The case stems from an incident on Apr. 28, 2016, in which EMS responded to a report of a baby in medical distress at a home along the 600 block of 17 Street North. Paramedics arrived to find Austin not breathing and in cardiac arrest. He was taken to the Chinook Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Following an investigation by Lethbridge Police, Hogan was charged in July of 2016.

Police noted that the results of an autopsy showed that Austin died from blunt force trauma, not consistent with a fall.