Still no trial date for man facing several violent charges

A Lethbridge man is still waiting to set a trial date on charges relating to a string of violent offences more than a year ago.

Cory Ray Williams was expected to schedule a trial during a couple of court hearings in November, but both times the matter was adjourned.

On Nov. 4 the case was adjourned for two weeks to allow time for lawyers to meet during a pre-trial conference with a judge to discuss the pending trial and schedule the date. But when the matter returned on Nov. 16 to confirm a trial date, court was told the pretrial conference hadn't been held and the matter had to be adjourned again.

"This must have fallen through the cracks," the Crown told court.

A week later the pre-trial conference still hadn't been held, but the Crown pointed out it had been scheduled for Dec. 8, and a date for the trial would be confirmed the following day in court.

On Nov. 4 Williams' third lawyer pleaded not guilty on behalf of his client to charges of kidnapping, attempted kidnapping, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, assault with a weapon, flight from police, dangerous driving, uttering threats, robbery, attempted robbery, housebreaking and failure to comply with probation.

Police reported that on Oct. 20 of last year a man attacked an acquaintance with a machete but fled before police arrived.

The same evening, a vehicle parked along Mayor Magrath Drive North was carjacked and the driver, with a machete held to his throat, was forced to drive to several locations in the city. The suspect made the victim withdraw money from an ATM, then ordered him to drive toward the Blood Reserve.

The following day, police responded to a disturbance along 2 Avenue South where a man was wielding multiple weapons. While police were en route, additional calls came in reporting a carjacking in the 200 block of 27 Street South by a man matching the description of the subject involved in the disturbance.

Then on Oct. 23, a woman was walking from a bus stop on the northside when a man threw her to the ground and demanded she turn over her cellphone. He ran away after the scuffle, but was found later that day at a northside home and arrested. Police searched the suspect’s residence and reportedly recovered evidence of the previous offences.

Williams, 41, remains in custody at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre.

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