SASKATOON – Two men charged in the death of 40-year-old James Swift will stand trial on second-degree murder charges in Saskatoon Court of King’s Bench.
A preliminary hearing for Colton Lischka and Ashtin Ritzand wrapped up Thursday in Saskatoon Provincial Court. A trial date hasn’t been set.
A third accused,is scheduled back in Saskatoon Provincial Court on May 10 for case management. Burley’s second-degree murder charge was withdrawn and replaced with accessory after the fact to murder.
On Aug. 29, 2022, Swift’s body was found by Warman RCMP on a road near the intersection of Penner Road and Range Road 3050. A woman was also found and she was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Saskatchewan RCMP’s Major Crime Unit, Warman RCMP, Corman Park Police Service, and Saskatoon Police Service investigated. Police allege that Swift and the injured woman were travelling in a vehicle with Lischka, Ritzand, and Burley. The vehicle stopped near the intersection of Penner Road and Rural Road 3050 and an altercation occurred. The three men then fled in a white Honda Civic.
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