A man charged with first-degree murder in connection to the 2013 death of his estranged wife pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in a Calgary courtroom on Monday.
James Allan Christians was charged in the death of Carmel Christians, 55, in October 2013 and his trial was scheduled to begin on Monday.
In a surprise move, the 67-year-old pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and also to aggravated assault for stabbing his wife’s friend.
Police were called to a home in the 100 block of Chaparral Valley Grove SE on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 by neighbours who reported an altercation at the address.
When crews arrived, they found Carmel Christians dead in the street and another woman suffering from knife wounds.
James Christians was arrested at a gas station a few days later and charged in the case.
Just weeks before her murder, Carmel was granted an emergency protection order against James Christians.
A second-degree murder conviction comes with an automatic life sentence and the Crown is arguing parole ineligibility be set at 20 years and the defence is asking for 16.
A sentencing date has been scheduled for March 4th.
