WEYBURN — Christopher A. Fahlman’s matters were back in Weyburn Provincial Court on Dec. 18.
The Regina man's appearance was initially scheduled to set a preliminary hearing, which will decide whether there is enough evidence for Fahlman to stand trial in the shooting death of Tanya Myers earlier this year.
Fahlman, who appeared by video, is charged with one count each of second-degree murder and intentionally discharging a firearm while being reckless as to the life or safety of another person.
His lawyer Sharon Fox told the court that three dates had been offered for a preliminary inquiry: March 23-31, April 20-28 and June 22-30, but none of the dates worked for the Crown due to other court commitments. Additional dates will have to be canvassed. Fox noted she was available for the April and June dates, and could have made the March dates work if there was some flexibility.
“We’re unfortunately not in a position to set preliminary inquiry dates today … and it looks like we will need to go back to the drawing board,” said Fox.
She wanted to have the matter back in court as soon as possible to secure preliminary inquiry dates, since it looks like the hearing will now have to happen in the fall.
“Mr. Fahlman has been denied bail, and this will be encroaching on upwards of 11-12 months of him being in custody if we are unfortunately required to set the dates for a preliminary inquiry [in the fall], so I don’t want to leave this any longer than absolutely necessary,” said Fox.
She also wanted to have Fahlman’s matters back in court prior to a case-management session on Jan. 15, 2026. The next docket day in Weyburn Provincial Court is Jan. 13, but Fox wanted to have an appearance earlier, so he will appear again in Estevan Provincial Court on Dec. 29.
Crown prosecutor Ethan Ries said his preference would be to keep the matter in Weyburn, but Judge Mitch Miller said this would be merely for setting a preliminary hearing date.
If the case proceeds to trial, it would be by judge and jury in Court of King’s Bench.
Background: Fahlman is charged with fatally shooting Myers, a 44-year-old Weyburn woman, on Highway 39 near Weyburn in September.
A show-cause hearing was held Nov. 19 and 20 in Court of King's Bench in Weyburn. After two days of testimony, evidence, cross-examination and arguments, the judge reserved his decision. He ruled a few days later that Fahlman would remain in custody.
The evidence, arguments and other information presented during the hearing, as well as the judge's reasons for denying bail, are covered by a publication ban.
Fahlman was initially charged with one count each of manslaughter with a firearm, careless use of a firearm, carrying a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, and occupying a motor vehicle knowing there is a firearm inside. Those charges were stayed after the two current charges were brought forward.
Fahlman has been in custody since his arrest in early November.
According to the RCMP, Myers was a passenger in one of two vehicles struck by bullets while travelling on Highway 39 on Sept. 12. The RCMP says Fahlman and Myers were not known to each other.
SaskToday will continue to have updates on this story.
