SASKATOON

Preliminary hearing for Gerald Stanley set for Jan. 16

CTV Saskatoon Published Tuesday, September 13, 2016 10:35AM CST Last Updated Tuesday, September 13, 2016 1:53PM CST

Gerald Stanley leaves in custody after his bail hearing was reserved pending a writer decision in North Battleford, Sask. on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Colten Boushie, a 22-year old First Nations man, was shot and killed on Aug. 9 after the vehicle he was in drove onto a farm in the rural municipality of Glenside, west of Saskatoon. (Liam Richards/The Canadian Press)

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A preliminary hearing in the case of Gerald Stanley, the Saskatchewan farmer accused of killing Colten Boushie, will begin Jan. 16.

His case was back in court Tuesday in North Battleford where lawyers for both the prosecution and defence met with a judge to set the date of the preliminary hearing.

Boushie died on Aug. 9 after a vehicle he and several other people were in drove onto a farm near Biggar, west of Saskatoon. He was fatally shot after an altercation on the farm.

Boushie’s cousin says the group was returning home to the Red Pheasant First Nation from a swimming trip, when they had car trouble. He said they were on the property looking for help.

Stanley, 54, was charged with second-degree murder in Boushie’s death.

Racial tensions flared in the province after Boushie’s death, with those in support of Boushie’s family and those in support of Stanley’s family taking to social media to condemn each other.

The online comments led to a Facebook post from Premier Brad Wall, calling on people to “rise above the intolerance.”

Stanley was released on bail on Aug. 19 after a hearing in North Battleford. Hundreds of Boushie’s family and friends attended the hearing, some yelling at Stanley as he was led away.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story stated Gerald Stanley's trial was set to begin Jan. 16. This is incorrect. The trial date has yet to be set. On Jan. 16, a preliminary hearing will begin. We regret the error.