By James Bowler

Murder suspect makes first court appearance

Apr 12, 2013 | 12:09 PM

A Wahpeton Dakota First Nation woman accused of second-degree murder appeared in Prince Albert Provincial Court Friday.

Valerie Standing, 26, stood for a short first appearance trial today.

She was arrested on April 10 after RCMP was called to the scene of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.

Brant Fox, 28, was found dead on-scene by emergency workers.

Standing was originally charged with operation of a motor vehicle causing death, but after further investigation RCMP reported they had charged her with first-degree murder.

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Her charge has since been downgraded to second-degree murder because of the lesser standard of proof, according to Corporal Rob King with RCMP.

She will still be charged with operation of a motor vehicle causing death, dangerous driving causing death and death caused by criminal negligence.

Under the second-degree murder charge Standing faces a minimum life-sentence, which is 10 years in prison.

She will make her next appearance in provincial court on April 22 for a possible bail hearing.

It was reported earlier that the two were dating and that they had a child together.

jbowler@panow.com

On Twitter: @journalistjim