A preliminary inquiry gets underway in Cranbrook today for a man accused of killing a Creston woman.
The hearing will decide of there is enough evidence for Mitchell McIntyre to stand trial for second-degree murder in the death of Julia Howe, 56.
She was found dead inside her home in February 2022.
Police said although Howe’s death was originally thought to be the result of natural causes, it was later determined to be a homicide, although they didn’t say how they figured that out. The cause of death has not been released.
An obituary said she was born in Creston and worked as a school bus driver. She is survived by her father, four siblings, four children, and four grandchildren.
Police said McIntyre and Howe are believed to have known each other.
The preliminary inquiry is scheduled to continue through Thursday in Cranbrook Supreme Court, take a short break, then resume next Tuesday through Friday. The evidence heard at such hearings is subject to a publication ban.
If there is enough evidence for the trial to go ahead, McIntyre has elected to be tried by judge alone.
He has remained in custody since been arrested about five weeks after Howe’s death.