Three men charged in connection to the murder of Ryan Gatzke, 27, of North Battleford, had more court appearances.
Charles Michael Lewis MacLean, 23, Isaac Melko, 22, of North Battleford and Jacob Joseph Ballantyne, 25, of Edam, had appearances scheduled in North Battleford Provincial Court on July 8.
The three co-accused face numerous charges related to the death of Gatzke. Battlefords RCMP found an injured Gatzke in his home on the 100 block of 26 Street West in Battleford on Oct. 18, 2019. He was taken by EMS to the North Battleford Hospital where he was later declared deceased.
Melko is charged with second-degree murder, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, disguise with intent, carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of a firearm without a license, and unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle.
Ballantyne is charged with second-degree murder, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, disguise with intent, carrying a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, pointing a firearm and possession of a firearm without a license.
A young offender – whose name can’t be released in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act - is charged with second-degree murder, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, disguise with intent, carrying a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of a firearm without a license, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a vehicle and possession of a restricted firearm while prohibited.
McLean is charged with manslaughter, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence.
At the July 8 court appearance, the matters against all three were adjourned.
MacLean is now scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court on July 28 for a show cause hearing.
Ballantyne and Melko are also scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court on July 28 to speak to their matters.
