Preliminary trial dates have been scheduled for the 19-year-old man accused of killing Calgary Stampeder Mylan Hicks.
READ MORE: Vigil for slain Calgary Stampeder Mylan Hicks held at McMahon Stadium
Nelson Tony Lugela, charged with second-degree murder, appeared in court on Monday via CCTV from the Calgary Remand Centre.
In the brief hearing, Lugela only spoke once saying “thank you” when the appearance ended.
READ MORE: Calgary Stampeders after Mylan Hicks’ death: ‘the pain is very real’
His preliminary trial is set to last five days beginning May 29, 2017.
According to Lugela’s lawyer, Alain Hepner, the trial is moving rather quickly because of the recent controversy over the Jordan decision, which saw a case thrown out because it was taking too long to get through the system.
Meanwhile, Lugela remains in custody.
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Hepner told reporters outside the Calgary Courts Centre that he still has to review a lot of material before deciding whether or not to apply for bail.
“There are a number of witness statements. I have to review the contents of the witness statements in detail as well as the autopsy report, so that’s the bulk of it. That’s where I start.'”
Hicks, a 23-year-old defensive back who was on the football team’s practice roster, was shot outside the Marquee Beer Market on Sept. 25. Police said the shooting happened after an altercation involving several people inside the nightclub spilled outside after it closed.
Police said Hicks was in life-threatening condition when they arrived on scene. He later died in hospital.
READ MORE: ‘That could have been any one of us’: Blue Bombers Jamaal Westerman on the death of Mylan Hicks
Hepner said his client is doing about as well as can be expected.
“He’s doing like anybody else who’s facing a homicide charge. They’re all serious, they’re all morose. It’s not a happy environment.”
Hicks signed with the Stampeders in May but hadn’t played a game for the team, which has advanced to next weekend’s Grey Cup.
His teammate, Jamar Wall, has been wearing his No. 31 jersey since Hicks’ death.
With files from the Canadian Press and David Boushy.
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