Four inmates serving time at the Drumheller Institution made their first appearance in provincial court in Drumheller on first-degree murder charges, on Friday, February 25.
Tyrel Runningrabbit, Trent Fox, Vincent Cardinal, and Thomas Abraham appeared in provincial court in Drumheller via closed-circuit television; they are accused of first-degree murder in relation to the death of fellow inmate David Klassen on Monday, February 21.
Drumheller RCMP attended the Drumheller Institution at approximately 1:08 p.m. on February 21 to assist an EMS call and were advised Mr. Klassen was deceased; the circumstances surrounding Mr. Klassen’s death were deemed suspicious and an investigation into the incident was conducted.
Counsel David Mohr appeared as duty counsel for the four accused and noted the accused have not retained counsel at this time. It was recommended the case be adjourned until Friday, March 11.
The Honourable Judge Keelaghan ordered the four co-accused to have no contact with each other, along with an additional inmate at the Institution.

A Drumheller senior charged with uttering threats against a Town of Drumheller employee has had the charges withdrawn following an appearance in provincial court in Drumheller on Friday, February 25.
The court heard how John Carls, 83, was charged with uttering death threats at a town hall meeting on Friday, January 7; the meeting was to inform residents of Lehigh they would need to sell their residences due to the ongoing flood mitigation project.
Mr. Carls was ordered by the Honourable Judge Keelaghan to enter into a peace bond for a period of nine months. He was further directed to have no contact with the town employee.
Judge Keelaghan noted Mr. Carls will not have a criminal record, and the criminal charges were withdrawn.