A Calgary police officer will face a courtroom reckoning in May. The stakes couldn’t be higher for everyone involved.
Const. Craig Stothard stands charged with two counts of second-degree murder. The charges stem from a May 2023 incident that left two men dead. This preliminary inquiry will determine if sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.
Defence lawyer Don MacLeod appeared Thursday at Calgary Court of Justice. He scheduled the two-week hearing to begin May 10. MacLeod told Justice Sheri Epp his client wants a judge and jury trial. That election requires Crown consent to change.
Stothard wasn’t required to attend Thursday’s brief proceeding. He remains free on conditions set last July.
The charges relate to the fatal shootings of Levon Wildman and Wesley Davidson. Wildman was 39 years old. Davidson was 46. Both men died on May 29, 2023, during what police described as a low-speed chase along Memorial Drive.
I’ve covered Calgary courts for years now. Cases involving police officers charged with criminal offenses remain extremely rare. When they happen, they send ripples through our entire community.
The incident began in Mayland Heights that spring morning. A security guard at a private property spotted three suspicious men. They fled in a stolen cube van. Police said the vehicle drove erratically as it left the area. It struck a barricade and a building before multiple officers began following it.
The chase moved onto Memorial Drive. Officers eventually opened fire on the cube van. Both occupants died at the scene.
The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team investigated what happened. ASIRT handles cases involving police actions that result in serious injury or death. They announced the charges against Stothard on July 15, 2023. He was formally arrested the day before.
Stothard appeared in Calgary Court of King’s Bench hours before ASIRT’s public announcement. A judge granted him release with conditions. He’s been free ever since.
The Calgary Police Service acknowledged the charges in a statement last summer. The service said Stothard was placed on leave. They didn’t specify whether that leave was paid or unpaid. That distinction matters to many Calgarians watching this case unfold.
After ASIRT completed its investigation, the file went to Alberta Crown Prosecution Service. Prosecutors reviewed the evidence and determined it met prosecutorial standards. That means they believe a reasonable likelihood of conviction exists. It also means they consider prosecution to be in the public interest.
Preliminary inquiries serve a specific purpose in our justice system. They’re not trials. A judge examines whether enough evidence exists to warrant a full trial. The Crown presents its case. The defence can cross-examine witnesses. The accused doesn’t have to present any defence at this stage.
These proceedings happen behind partially closed doors. Publication bans typically prevent media from reporting specific evidence heard during preliminary inquiries. The reasoning is straightforward. Potential jurors shouldn’t be exposed to evidence before trial. That could compromise their ability to remain impartial.
MacLeod’s election of judge and jury reflects strategic thinking. Many defence lawyers prefer juries in serious cases. Juries represent community standards. They bring diverse perspectives to difficult decisions. Twelve citizens must agree unanimously for conviction.
Second-degree murder charges carry serious implications. Unlike first-degree murder, second-degree doesn’t require premeditation. But it still requires intent to kill or reckless disregard for human life. Conviction brings an automatic life sentence with parole eligibility between 10 and 25 years.
Police use-of-force cases present unique challenges. Officers receive training on when deadly force is justified. They’re legally permitted to use force in circumstances where civilians aren’t. But that authority has limits. Those limits are what courts must examine.
I’ve walked Memorial Drive countless times. It’s a major east-west corridor through our city. Imagining this chase playing out there brings the incident into sharp focus. Regular Calgarians were nearby when this happened. They witnessed something no one expects to see.
The families of Wildman and Davidson have waited nearly three years for answers. That’s an eternity when you’ve lost someone. Court processes move slowly. Each procedural step matters for ensuring justice is properly served.
Stothard’s family and colleagues also face uncertainty. Being charged isn’t the same as being convicted. The presumption of innocence remains fundamental to our justice system. But the weight of these allegations affects everyone connected to this officer.
Calgary police officers respond to difficult situations daily. Most interactions end without incident. But cases like this remind us why robust oversight mechanisms exist. ASIRT provides independent investigation when police actions result in death or serious harm. That independence helps maintain public trust.
The preliminary inquiry will span two weeks. That’s substantial time for this type of proceeding. It suggests the Crown has considerable evidence to present. Witnesses will testify. Documents will be entered. The judge will carefully consider everything presented.
Whatever happens in May will shape what comes next. If the judge finds sufficient evidence, Stothard will face trial. If not, the charges could be dismissed. Either outcome will reverberate through Calgary’s justice system and broader community.
This case tests our institutions. It examines the boundaries of police authority. It asks difficult questions about accountability and public safety. The answers matter deeply to how Calgarians view their police service.
May will bring clarity to procedural questions. But the deeper questions about what happened on Memorial Drive that day may take much longer to resolve. Justice requires patience, even when waiting feels unbearable.
