Joseph Schluter released on bail pending 1st-degree murder trial for Cindy Enger's death

Joseph Schluter, who faces a charge of first-degree murder for the shooting death of his friend,sobbed through much of his bail hearing before he was released pending trial.

Schluter, 45,was granted bail by Queen's Bench Justice Earl Wilson on Friday.

A publication ban protects the evidence presented at the hearing.

Defence lawyer Steve Wojick secured hisrelease on $25,000 cash bail.

Enger'sex-husband called police after he tried for two days to drop their son off but she didn't answer her door.

Her body was found in her home in the 200 block of Cramond Close S.E. on Jan. 24 when police were asked to check on her welfare.

At the time of his arrest, police saidEnger and Schluter had "known each other for a long time and they recently reconnected."

It took more than a month forSchluterto becharged with first-degree murder.

Mike Ewenson and SarahGoard-Bakerare prosecuting the case which isback in court Wednesday.

• MORE CRIME NEWS |Alberta father gets jail time, wife gets house arrest in toddler's meningitis death
• MORE CRIME NEWS |Wife of acupuncturist stabbing suspect supports husband as he's ordered to see forensic psychiatrist