SASKATOON – A preliminary hearing has been set for two men charged with the murder of 40-year-old James Edward Swift.
The hearing in June for Colton Robert Lischka, 29, and Ashtin Kolby Riley Ritzand, 28, will determine if there is enough evidence for them to stand trial on second-degree murder charges.
A third accused, Anthony D. Burley, 28, is back in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Aug. 8.
Both Burley and Lishka were released on bail after a show cause hearing in Saskatoon Court of King’s Bench.
Swift’s body was found by Warman RCMP on a road near the intersection of Penner Road and Range Road 3050 on Aug. 29, 2022. 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. Their investigation determined that Swift and the injured woman were travelling in a vehicle with three men. The vehicle stopped near the intersection of Penner Road and Rural Road 3050 and an altercation occurred. The three men fled in the vehicle, a white Honda Civic.
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