Rocky murder suspects appear in court

A number of suspects accused of the murder of a man on the O’Chiese First Nations Reserve made appearances in Red Deer provincial court last week.

Terrance Andy Beaverbones, 21, is charged with second degree murder in the death of Gordon Marlice Strawberry, 45, on the O’Chiese First Nations Reserve on Sept. 18.

Also charged with second degree murder in Strawberry’s death are Darcy John Lightfoot, 30, Evan Ernest Foureyes, 21, Cameron Strawberry, 25, Melvina Jean Beaverbones, 36 and 26-year-old Jenny Olivia Beaverbones.

Terrance, who has yet to retain a lawyer, briefly appeared in Red Deer court on Oct. 13. He will be back in court on Oct. 29 to give him time to find counsel.

Melvina, who is represented by defence lawyer Patricia MacNaughton, appeared in Red Deer court on Oct. 15. Her case was held over until Nov. 12.

Cameron Strawberry, Lightfoot and Foureyes also appeared on Oct. 15 and will all appear back in Red Deer provincial court on Oct. 29.

Court was told that disclosure for the accused suspects will not be available until the new year as it contains extensive information and there are many witnesses. However, the crown is currently working on getting bail packages together.

At about 11 a.m. on Sept. 18 Rocky Mountain House RCMP and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded to a residence on the O’Chiese First Nation Reserve after receiving a call of an unconscious male outside of a residence.

Upon arrival the male was found to be deceased and had been covered in blankets and a rug. The male was identified as Strawberry, of the O’Chiese First Nation Reserve.

The police investigation revealed Strawberry was at the residence of Melvina for a house party when an altercation started inside the residence.

RCMP said Strawberry was violently attacked and beaten inside the residence and later dragged outside where the altercation continued.

Police added that a number of people were at the house party and participated in this vicious attack.

On Sept. 20 the provincial Medical Examiner’s office in Calgary completed the autopsy of Strawberry and it was determined that the manner of death was homicide.

HIV infected man to stand trial

A man who was knowingly infected by HIV and had sexual intercourse with a 24-year-old woman is set to stand trial in Red Deer.

Paul Thomson, 33, of Calgary, has been charged with 11 counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of theft.

His charges stem from numerous incidents in which he had sexual intercourse with the now 24-year-old woman last year and did not disclose to her that he was infected.

A preliminary inquiry was held for Thomson last week in Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench and it was determined there was enough evidence for trial.

A trial date has yet to be set in the case.

From an earlier interview with the Express, the woman, who asked her identity not be disclosed, said a friend first introduced her to Thomson six years ago in Ponoka.

She said they connected in July 2009 during Westerner Days where Thomson was working as a carnival worker, in charge of a children’s ride on the midway.

The woman said she and the man agreed to enter into an intimate relationship, and that they discussed whether there were any health issues that should be recognized between them.

“He claimed there was nothing on his side,” said the woman, adding she and Thomson had repeated sexual relations and that he did not use a condom.

She said Thomson quit his carnival job and moved in with her and her young child.

However, when she woke up on July 28, 2009, the man was gone, along with her money, bus pass and bank card.