Accused bank robber hires new lawyer

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on July 13, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 51-year-old Lethbridge man accused of robbing the same bank twice earlier this year, has hired a new lawyer.

Jamie Bagu, who parted ways with his Lethbridge lawyer last month, has hired Calgary lawyer Katherin Beyak.

An agent for Beyak appeared in Lethbridge court of justice Wednesday, but simply requested an adjournment to July 26 to allow time for defence to get up to speed on the case.

“Miss Beyak has reviewed disclosure, and she needs to review same with Mr. Bagu and obtain his instructions,” lawyer Neal Dixon explained.

During a hearing June 29, court was told there had been a breakdown in the solicitor-client relationship and Bagu confirmed he wanted to hire a new lawyer, and said he had already taken steps to hire Beyak.

Bagu, who is accused of robbing the same bank twice in less than a month, is charged with two counts each of robbery with a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, pointing a firearm, use of a firearm while committing an offence, and disguised with intent, and one count each of assault with a weapon and unsafe storage of a firearm.

The charges stem from incidents on March 17 and April 11, 2023 at CIBC in the 500 block of 13 Street North.

Police reported in April that in both cases a man entered the bank, pointed a firearm at employees and demanded money, then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured during either robbery.

A vehicle with distinctive features was identified after it was recorded by a video surveillance camera leaving the area of the second robbery at a high rate of speed. Police later found the vehicle and identified a suspect.

On April 25 Bagu was arrested without incident and police searched two vehicles and a home on Waterton Road South. During the search police seized two firearms, including a handgun consistent with the weapon used in the robberies, Canadian currency with serial numbers that matched money stolen during the first robbery and clothing consistent with surveillance images of the robber.

Bagu had hoped to be released from remand custody on June 1 following a lengthy bail hearing, but the judge adjourned his decision for two weeks to allow him time to consider submissions by the Crown and defence. Evidence presented during the bail hearing, as well as the reasons for the judge’s decision, are subject to a publication ban.

Bagu’s previous lawyer had suggested Bagu could be released under several specific conditions, and that Bagu’s wife could act as surety, and as such would supervise Bagu while he is out on bail and promise an amount of money to the court if he doesn’t follow one or more of the bail conditions or doesn’t show up to court when required. On June 15, however, the judge denied the accused bail.

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