An aggravated assault charge has been stayed against a Saskatoon man accused of domestic violence against his wife, who died while he was in custody.
Michael Paul Welsh, 44, was charged on Sept. 17, 2015, four days after the alleged assault against his wife, Raylene Frerichs.
She was expected to testify at her husband’s trial the following month. It was adjourned after Frerichs, 45, was found dead in the couple’s rented home in the Willowgrove neighbourhood on Oct. 12, 2015.
Welsh was not charged in connection with his wife’s death, which police determined did not involve foul play. The cause of her death has not been made public.
Details of what allegedly happened between the couple were presented during Welsh’s bail hearing. A publication ban on that information remains in place, because a stay of proceedings allows the Crown a one-year window to recommence the charge if new evidence comes to light.
“At this time, with the evidence I had to present to the court, I concluded that there wasn’t a reasonable likelihood of conviction for the charge of aggravated assault that he had been charged with,” Crown prosecutor Evan Thompson said. “That’s why the written stay of proceedings was entered.”
Through his lawyer, Welsh declined to comment on the matter. Frerichs’ family could not be reached for comment.
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