Accused robber’s lawyer ordered to make progress on case

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on September 22, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

The lawyer for a 51-year-old Lethbridge man accused of robbing the same bank twice in as many months, has been ordered to take a step when the matter returns to court next month.

During a brief hearing this week in Lethbridge court of justice, Justice Timothy Hironaka noted the accused, Jamie Gerald Bagu, has made numerous court appearances since his arrest in April without making any significant progress in his case.

“This is Mr. Bagu’s 16th court appearance on this information,” Hironaka said. “Obviously there is some concern on the part of the Crown to have this move along.”

Hironaka told an agent who appeared for Bagu’s lawyer, Katherin Beyak, that a step must be taken on Oct. 4 when the matter is back in court.

Beyak’s agent told court defence still needs to book a pre-trial conference and noted a bail review has been scheduled for Oct. 27 in Court of King’s Bench. He assured the judge a step will be taken during the next appearance.

Bagu, who was denied bail in June in Lethbridge court of justice, 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 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.

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