Town councillor pleads not guilty to assault charge

By Trevor Busch
Taber Times
tbusch@tabertimes.com

Taber town councillor Rick Popadynetz has pled not guilty to a charge of assault with a weapon which stems from an allegation of domestic violence in early November.

Popadynetz appeared in person in Taber provincial court on Dec. 2 to make his plea, represented by Dustin Patzer as agent for Popadynetz’s attorney Doug Carle.

Crown prosecutor Michael Fox requested the matter be set down for trial on April 23, 2015, a date objected to by Patzer as “prejudicial” to the accused as he is not currently able to reside in his home.

Patzer went on to request a change of venue in order to speed the process by which Popadynetz could be brought to trial.

Judge G.S. Maxwell was unwilling to entertain an immediate transfer of the matter to another court unless it was determined to be warranted. Maxwell also stated that whenever possible, matters that originate within a jurisdiction or community should in most cases be heard there in the public interest.

The charge against Popadynetz was adjourned to Dec. 16 for fixation of a trial date.