Stepfather in Jaffray child shooting accident faces court
A Jaffray man charged with criminal negligence over storage of a firearm will go to trial by jury this year.
George Phillips, 51, was in Cranbrook court on Monday, February 20, facing charges that arose after the fatal shooting of Fernie teen Michael Voss, 17, in Jaffray on June 16, 2011.
Police deemed the shooting accidental after a 10-year-old child had access to his stepfather's gun, which went off in his hands, according to RCMP.
Phillips was charged in October with criminal negligence causing death with a firearm, and storage of a firearm contrary to regulation.
In court on Monday, Phillips elected to go to trial in the Supreme Court in front of judge and jury.
He will next appear in court on March 5 to fix a date for a preliminary hearing.
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