3rd man charged with murder in violent death of Saskatoon man

A third man is now charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of 40-year-old James Swift on Aug. 29.

Swift died after an altercation just north of Saskatoon. Details of what happened are slowly emerging in court.

Ashtin Ritzand, 28, appeared in provincial court Thursday and is now charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder and theft. He returns to court Sept. 7.

According to RCMP, Swift and a woman were in a car with three men when the altercation happened. It's not clear what triggered it, but Swift was killed and left at a rural intersection near Wanuskewin Heritage Park. Court heard Thursday that the woman was stabbed in the neck and also left at the intersection.

She is recovering in hospital.

Swift's death led to numerous condolence posts on social media. The 40-year-old was a well-known figure in the local music community.

"You'd find him at any show," said Dustee-Raiye Wiklun.

Wiklun went to elementary school and high school in Saskatoon with Swift. He said his friend dabbled in guitar, but was primarily a music lover. His musical tastes ranged from John Prine to Metallica, touching on all points in between.

"He had a good spirit, a good heart," he said.

"We're all dumbfounded."