Fahlman returns to court as preliminary inquiry discussions begin

Chris Fahlman, 42, attended Weyburn Provincial Court Tuesday morning for his first court appearance since being denied bail in a two-day show-cause hearing at the end of November.

Fahlman is facing second-degree murder and intentionally discharging a firearm while being reckless to the life or safety of another person, related to the fatal shooting of Weyburn’s Tanya Myers on Highway 39 in September.

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• Bail hearing for Chris Fahlman, man charged in Weyburn shooting, set for Thursday

He appeared via video alongside his counsel Sharon Fox, who revealed discussions about setting a preliminary inquiry date have already begun. This would determine if there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial. She noted the Crown estimates the inquiry could take up to seven or eight days.

Once a date is set for the preliminary hearing, Fox aims to set a case management meeting with the prosecution saying she does not want the matter to be delayed and see multiple adjournments while they attempt to set dates and move the proceedings along. Fox anticipates the hearing will need to be set months in advance.

Judge David Chow agreed with Fox, saying he wants the matter to proceed efficiently as well. He instructed defense and the Crown to make arrangements for a preliminary hearing to ensure the courtroom and needed personnel are available.

Fahlman remains in custody and will next appear in Weyburn Provincial Court by video on Dec. 18.

Remembering Tanya Myers

Andrea Morrice has since identified herself as the driver of the vehicle and Myers friend.

“It feels like I’ve been shot,” Morrice recalled Myers saying.

RCMP have confirmed that another vehicle was struck by gunfire during the same incident.

In a statement from Myers family, Tanya was described as an “amazing healer” who had a fondness of cats.

“She was the best mom to her nine cats. She rarely left home because she had an extensive care routine for her kitties. So this day out of town was rare for her,” said the family’s statement.

The family said Myers death would leave a gaping hole in their lives and the lives of her cats.

Fahlman was arrested on Gordon Road in Regina nearly two months after police began investigating Myers death at the beginning of November.

The Crown dropped manslaughter and three gun-related charges related to Fahlman last week, and laid the current charges he’s facing now.

– with files from The Canadian Press