Both accused remain in custody ahead of their four-week trial
Two men accused in the fatal shooting of a Rocky View County employee will face a Calgary jury next spring on charges of second-degree murder, attempted murder, and robbery.
Lawyers for the accused, Arthur Wayne Penner, 36, and Elijah Blake Strawberry, 29, appeared in Calgary Court of King’s Bench on Friday to confirm a four-week jury trial beginning May 4, 2026. Jury selection is scheduled for April 30, 2026.
Calgary Herald reported that the pair are charged in connection with the Aug. 9, 2024, shooting death of Colin John Hough, a Rocky View County employee. Hough was fatally shot on a rural road near Conrich, east of Calgary, after he reportedly stopped to help with a burning truck.
A second man, FortisAlberta Inc. employee Matthew Andres, survived after being shot in the same incident. Penner and Strawberry are also charged with attempted murder in relation to Andres’s injuries.
During Friday’s brief proceeding, defence lawyers Sam Taylor – appearing on behalf of Strawberry’s trial counsel, Rebecca Snukal – and Sarah Kondor – representing Penner’s counsel, Alexandra Seaman – told Justice Janice Ashcroft their clients were not required to attend. Crown prosecutor Ryan Ziegler confirmed the trial dates of May 4–29, 2026.
Because of the Victoria Day holiday, the trial will proceed over 19 sitting days.
The case was committed to trial in June following a preliminary inquiry before Justice Karim Jivraj. Prosecutors Ziegler and Photini Papadatou called 12 witnesses during the four-day hearing. Jivraj ruled there was sufficient evidence to put the case before a jury, despite defence arguments that the evidence was too weak.
Snukal argued there was not enough evidence to order Strawberry to stand trial on either murder or attempted murder charges, while Seaman challenged the attempted murder charge against Penner.
The court also found evidence to commit both accused to trial on an additional robbery charge involving the use of a restricted or prohibited firearm.
Both men remain in custody while awaiting trial.
