An accused killer whose case was thrown out because of unreasonable delays will now have to face a new trial.
Lance Matthew Regan was charged with first-degree murder in the stabbing death of 21-year-old Mason Tex Montgrad at Edmonton Institution in August 2011.
Several delays and adjournments followed and a trial was finally set for October 2016.
But in a surprise ruling, the charge was stayed shortly before it was to go to trial because of new legislation that sets out a new framework for determining whether a criminal trial has been unreasonably delayed.
![Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.](https://globalnews.ca/wp-content/themes/shaw-globalnews/images/skyline/national.jpg)
Get daily National news
In response to the R. vs. Jordan decision, one defence lawyer said a shortage of judges and legal aid funding is “choking” Alberta’s court system.
READ MORE: Alberta murder case thrown out over trial delays; experts warn system on verge of collapse
Watch below: On Oct. 11, 2016, Nancy Hixt filed this report about a landmark ruling in Alberta that experts say has the potential to impact thousands of criminal cases. Charges of first-degree murder were thrown out for an Alberta man after delays in the case going to trial.
![Click to play video: 'Alberta murder case thrown out over trial delays; experts warn system on verge of collapse'](https://i0.wp.com/media.globalnews.ca/videostatic/1008/495/GC161011_PRECEDENT.jpg?w=1040&quality=70&strip=all)
But in the decision released Thursday, the Alberta Court of Appeal said “neither the Crown nor the defence appear to have been motivated to bring the matter to a speedy conclusion” and ordered the new trial.
The panel also requested Regan make his first court appearance to get the process started again by the end of March.
- Woman in Canada less than 2 months found dead inside suitcase in Newfoundland
- Ball hockey referee left with fractured skull, jaw after removing player from game
- Car theft finally decelerating in Canada after surge — a ‘positive sign’
- Quebec government quietly loosened its approach to drug possession over a year ago
Comments