Judge moves up manslaughter case ruling to June 29

Three of four manslaughter suspects challenging committal to trial will learn almost a month earlier than anticipated whether they'll be ordered to face a jury.

Lawyers for the accused in the death of Calgary man John Wayne Davis appeared in court Wednesday to reschedule Justice Karim Jivraj's ruling. The judge had initially indicated he would hand down his decision on July 24, but at Jivraj's request, the new date is now June 29.

Alexandra Faith Doman, Jarvais Ljay Eisnor, and Troy Jordan Lemke are all challenging whether there's sufficient evidence to order them to stand trial on manslaughter charges. A fourth accused, Ryo Allan Nelson, conceded prosecutors met the low test for committal.

All four face 10 charges each, including manslaughter with a firearm, in connection with Davis's death on January 4, 2024. They're also each charged with three counts of break and enter to commit robbery, three of unlawful confinement, two aggravated assaults, and robbery with a restricted or prohibited firearm.

Crown prosecutors called the last of their 23 witnesses on March 12. The preliminary inquiry began on October 27 of last year, when Jivraj ordered a publication ban on the evidence.

Lemke, Eisnor, and Nelson, who are all in custody, can appear remotely when Jivraj hands down his decision. Doman is free on bail.