Adjournments granted on sex assault, shooting cases

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on June 29, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 59-year-old Lethbridge man accused of holding a woman against her will and repeatedly sexually assaulting her, won’t return to court until next month after his lawyer has had time to review reams of disclosure from the Crown’s office.

The case against Bernard Alonzo Gibson was adjourned May 31 after Calgary lawyer Robin McIntyre said she was still waiting for disclosure. McIntyre has since received the disclosure, but asked a judge Wednesday during a court hearing for an adjournment to July 13 to allow her time to review the information.

“Mr. Gibson has a substantial amount of disclosure on his matters that I’m working through right now, and I’ll be speaking with (the Crown’s office) in the interim,” McIntyre told the judge.

Gibson, who remains in custody at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, and was not required to attend court Wednesday, is charged with aggravated sexual assault and unlawful confinement.

On May 18, police attended a residence in the 1500 block of 16 Avenue South after receiving a report from the landlord that he had found an injured woman in the basement. EMS transported the 30-year-old victim to Chinook Regional Hospital, where she was admitted for treatment of extensive injuries.

Police reported that the woman met a man earlier in the month outside of Lethbridge and was driven into the city. She was taken to the southside home, unlawfully confined and repeatedly sexually assaulted for four days.

While police were at the home conducting an investigation, a man matching the suspect’s description returned and was arrested without incident.

Gibson is also charged with failing to comply with bail conditions, which stems from a previous incident last March from which he was charged with sexual assault, assault and unlawful confinement. Police said a woman was held against her will and assaulted for two days before she was able to escape.

McIntyre was also granted an adjournment until July 13 for Robert Duane Vincent of Claresholm who faces numerous charges relating to an assault and shooting in March.

McIntyre told court she has received and reviewed “initial” disclosure in the case, but there is still more disclosure outstanding, including a 911 recording, for which she will make a request to the Crown’s office.

Vincent, who was denied bail in April,  is charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, assaulting/choking, theft of a vehicle, discharge a firearm with intent to injure, use of a firearm while committing an offence, careless use/storage of a firearm, pointing a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, knowingly possessing an unauthorized firearm, possession of a firearm while prohibited, robbery with a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and mischief causing damage.

Lethbridge police reported that at about 6:26 a.m. on March 20 they responded to a 911 call that a man was assaulted in his home on Rutgers Crescent West. The victim was taken to the hospital and treated for a gunshot wound.

Investigators determined the 54-year-old victim confronted his ex-girlfriend and another man, and following a brief verbal exchange was shot by the woman and physically assaulted by the man. The two assailants then fled in the victim’s truck. The truck was recovered a short distance away, and two suspects were arrested without incident later in day. Police also seized a firearm.

Kristina Hatcher, 38, is charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon, assault/choking, theft of a vehicle, discharging a firearm with intent to injure, use of a firearm while committing an offence, careless use/storage of a firearm, pointing a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm knowing possession is unauthorized, robbery with a firearm, mischief causing damage under $5,000, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

Hatcher, who is accused of shooting her ex-boyfriend, was also previously denied bail. Her next court hearing is scheduled for July 20.

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