Crown files direct indictment upgrading double-homicide suspects' charges to first-degree murder - Calgary Herald

Crown lawyer Doug Taylor said a direct indictment has been approved by the attorney general, ending a preliminary inquiry for Gerald David Benn and Dennis Wong

Author of the article:

Kevin Martin

Publishing date:

Dec 06, 2021  •  33 minutes ago  •  2 minute read  •  Join the conversation

Family photo of a memorial to Mohamed Shaikh, 19, one of two men killed in a shooting in the community of Sandstone on Aug. 28, 2020. Photo by Courtesy Shaikh family

Article content

Two suspects in the double-fatal shooting of two Calgary men more than 15 months ago will stand trial on upgraded charges of first-degree murder, a prosecutor told court Monday.

Article content

Crown lawyer Doug Taylor said a direct indictment has been approved by the attorney general, ending a preliminary inquiry for Gerald David Benn and Dennis Wong.

Provincial court Judge Catherine Skene was to hear final arguments on the preliminary hearing on Monday, but Taylor said that was no longer necessary.

“The Crown has obtained a direct indictment,” Taylor said, of the process which usually prevents a preliminary inquiry from taking place.

Evidence before Skene concluded Nov. 18, but the judge delayed hearing final submissions from Taylor and defence lawyers Andrea Urquhart and Kaysi Fagan when the prosecutor indicated he’d be seeking upgraded charges.

Benn, who had faced two counts of second-degree murder and Wong, who was charged with two counts of manslaughter, are accused in the Aug. 28, 2020 shooting deaths of Mohamed Khalid Shaikh, 19, and 27-year-old Abas Ahmed Ibrahim.

Adblock test (Why?)

Crown files direct indictment upgrading double-homicide suspects' charges to first-degree murder - Calgary Herald
Read More