Byron Bear's remains were found on Feb. 10, 2022, which was over two months after he was reported missing. (submitted photo/Prince Albert Police Service)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Byron Bear murder case moving forward in court

Jan 4, 2023 | 4:00 PM

Preliminary hearing dates have now been finalized for all four men charged in the death of a Prince Albert man in late 2021.

Raine Farrow’s matters were addressed Wednesday afternoon at Prince Albert Provincial Court. The 24-year-old is facing a charge of second degree murder in the death of Byron Bear.

Farrow appeared in-person, while his lawyer Patrick Piche addressed the judge by phone. Piche elected for his client to be tried by judge alone at Court of King’s Bench. But first, a preliminary hearing will be held, starting on July 26. A total of three days have been set aside for it.

No pleas have been entered at this stage. The purpose of the hearing will be to hear the Crown’s evidence, and the judge will make a decision on whether it’s sufficient enough to commit the case to trial.

On December 6, 2021, just after 4 a.m., police responded to a property on Third Avenue and Ninth Street East for a report of gunshots.

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When officers arrived, they found evidence of a serious assault but no victim. Bear was reported missing that same day, and when interviewed by paNOW, his mom explained she spoke to her son earlier that morning. She also indicated he made no mention what his plans were, nor if he was in any sort of trouble.

Bear’s remains were found by police on Feb. 10 near Hague.

Evidence trail at the residence. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

The three co-accused, Kyle Angus Burns, Daniel Dustin Oliver, and Riley Primeau, are scheduled to have their preliminary hearings on Jan. 18, Feb. 27, and June 12.

At the time of his disappearance, Bear was working to complete training to become a medical taxi driver. He also had a young daughter.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell