A Calgary police officer who is facing two murder charges has been ordered to stand trial after an eight-day hearing.
The preliminary inquiry for Const. Craig Stothard concluded on Tuesday when Justice Mark Mastel determined there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the trial.
Stothard, aged 52, is charged with two counts of second-degree murder related to the fatalities of Wesley Davidson and Levon Boyce Fox, who were shot dead in May 2023.
Authorities claim that both victims were inside a stolen cube van when Stothard opened fire after a slow-speed pursuit lasting 45 minutes along Memorial Drive. Fox’s brother, who was also in the vehicle, sustained injuries during the incident.
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A publication ban was implemented at the start of the hearing to safeguard Stothard’s right to a fair trial, restricting discussion on the evidence and arguments presented.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team charged Stothard last summer, following an extensive two-year investigation.
He has been released on bail while awaiting trial.
As per the Calgary Police Service, Stothard is currently “relieved from duty with pay.”
The case is set to transition from Alberta’s Court of Justice to the Court of King’s Bench.
Prosecutor Jeff Rudiak and defense attorney Don MacLeod will arrange trial dates in the upcoming weeks.