The jury trial for a man charged after an 18-year-old Olds College student was run down and killed outside an Olds bar in October 2010 will begin on Nov. 28, officials said Friday.
Crown prosecutor Roy Smith said the trial, to be heard in Calgary Court of Queen's Bench, is expected to last until about Dec. 21.
“These types of offences are mandatory jury unless both parties consent and I think a jury should listen to this,” said Smith, noting the jury will be selected on Nov. 25.
Jeffrey Leinen, 25, faces charges of second-degree murder, dangerous operation causing death, impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing bodily harm, and impaired driving causing bodily harm.
A Ford F150 drove through a group of pedestrians outside the Texas Mickey bar shortly after midnight on Oct. 29, 2010.
Nicholas Baier, 18, died at the scene. A second 19-year-old male Olds College student was injured.
Leinen was ordered to stand trial on a charge of second-degree murder following a preliminary hearing in Didsbury provincial court in August.
A publication ban prohibits reporting on evidence presented during that preliminary inquiry.
Leinen remains in custody pending the trial.
Baier family spokesperson Frank Van Humbeck says family members will be attending Leinen's trial.
Meanwhile, during the evening of Oct. 17, the Olds detachment partially blocked 50 Avenue and half of the Texas Mickey parking lot to shoot video footage with Major Crimes for the upcoming trial.
“Major Crimes just came back in town with the collision reconstructionist and the ident guy,” said Const. Lyle Korver.
“They were just comparing original footage with what's there now to get some more measurements.”
Olds detachment members were present at the scene for five hours.
“They had to line everything up just perfect using the old footage.”
