Calgary Murder Suspect Testifies He Acted in Self-Defense During Fatal Altercation
Tyler James Redden, a Calgary resident facing murder charges, told a jury on Thursday that he feared for his own life and the safety of his family when he fatally shot one man and injured another during a violent confrontation in the city's northeast. The incident, which occurred on May 18, 2023, stemmed from a dispute over a contraband cigarette deal that turned deadly.
Dispute Over Contraband Cigarettes Escalates to Violence
Redden, 29, testified in his own defense that he was involved in selling illegal cigarettes for Daniel Spagnolo but felt inadequately compensated. Seeking to terminate their arrangement, Redden had prepaid for three boxes of cigarettes and planned to return them along with a work phone provided by Spagnolo. However, tensions escalated when Spagnolo allegedly threatened to shoot Redden, his daughter, or the child's mother, prompting Redden to purchase a gun for protection earlier that day.
Chance Encounter Leads to Fatal Confrontation
The situation intensified when Redden, following his father home, was spotted by Spagnolo and his associate, Graeme McColm, on 23rd Street N.E. This chance meeting diverted from a prearranged meeting at Redden's parents' Applewood home, leading to a confrontation in the parking lot of the Flying J Cardlock truck stop. Redden recounted that Spagnolo and McColm assaulted his father, with McColm taking him to the ground and kicking his head.
Believing his father was unconscious, Redden intervened, threatening to shoot if the assault continued. When they persisted, he fired his weapon, aiming at McColm's legs but raising it out of fear of hitting his father. McColm fled the scene but later died from a single gunshot wound, while Spagnolo survived being shot three times. Redden emphasized that his actions were driven by a desperate need to protect himself and his family from imminent harm.
Legal Charges and Defense Strategy
Redden is charged with second-degree murder in McColm's death and attempted murder for shooting Spagnolo. His defense, led by counsel Alain Hepner, centers on claims of self-defense and defense of others, arguing that Redden acted under duress due to the threats and violence initiated by Spagnolo. The trial continues as the jury evaluates the evidence and testimonies to determine the validity of these claims in the context of Calgary's legal standards for self-defense cases.
