Trial date expected in cannabis robbery case

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on August 18, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 39-year-old man accused of robbing a cannabis store last year is expected to schedule a date for trial when he returns to court next month.

The case against Hank Lee Tremblay, who faces several criminal charges, was in Lethbridge provincial court Wednesday but adjourned after his lawyer explained a trial date would be scheduled when he returns to court in September.

Tremblay was set to stand trial earlier this month for one day, but during a court hearing in April, the Crown pointed out one day would not be enough time to run the trial and it was cancelled. The matter was adjourned to May 3, at which time court was told a pre-trial conference had been scheduled for May 19 so a trial date could be determined. When the case returned on May 24 to confirm the trial date, Calgary lawyer Spencer Sikora said he had lost contact with his client, and a warrant was issued for Tremblay’s arrest.

During Wednesday’s court hearing, Sikora told court a new pre-trial conference is set for Sept. 6, and the matter was adjourned to Sept. 7 to confirm a trial date.

Tremblay is charged with robbery, assault with a weapon and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public. The charges stem from an incident just before 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2021 when a man armed with a knife robbed Westcan Cannabis in the 1700-block of 23 Street North.

The suspect fled but was tracked by a police dog to a residence in the 1300 block of 23 Street North, where a man was arrested without incident.

Follow @DShurtzHerald on Twitter