Richard Edward Benson, who is charged in relation to the incident at Racette School that resulted in the death of 11-year-old Megan Wolitski and serious injuries to two of her classmates, is scheduled to stand trial in November.
Last week, the trial date was set to take place from Nov. 25 to 29 at a St. Paul courtroom, according to Alberta Justice communications. Benson is charged with one count of criminal negligence causing death, two counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm, one count of resisting arrest and one count of possession of a controlled substance.
Benson was arrested on Oct. 25 when a van he was allegedly driving cashed through the wall of a Grade 6 classroom at Racette Junior High School. Benson remains in custody.
The trial process was sped up because Benson waived his right to a preliminary hearing, which would have determined if there was enough evidence to hold a trial. Instead, the case will go straight to trial.
St. Paul RCMP was notified of a sudden death in the Hamlet of St. Lina on Feb. 6.
Members attended the “remote property” at 9:30 a.m and had a difficult time accessing the property due to its location and the terrain leading to the house.
“Upon entering the residence RCMP confirmed that a 66 year old male was deceased,” according to information from RCMP. “He was located by friends who had attended the house to put wood on the wood burning stoves used to heat the property.
RCMP say there is no evidence to suggest that foul play is involved. The deceased was brought to the Medical Examiners Office where toxicology tests and a medical examination will be done.
“The name of the deceased is not being released. He was known to live in different communities around Alberta and BC,” says the release.
