Murder case adjourned until later this month

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on December 2, 2021.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 26-year-old Medicine Hat woman charged with first degree murder, is in quarantine at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre and was not required to appear in court for a brief hearing Wednesday.
However, Calgary lawyer John Oman appeared on behalf of his client, Melissa Lynn Martens-Lagasse, and said he has only received an initial amount of disclosure from the Crown’s office and requires an adjournment. The next court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 15 in Lethbridge provincial court, but in the meantime the accused will remain in custody pending a bail hearing.
Oman explained after Wednesday’s hearing that what happens on the 15th may depend on how much disclosure he receives before then, but he will likely adjourn the case again to arrange a bail application in Court of Queen’s Bench.
Martens-Lagasse, who is also charged with causing an indignity to a human body, is accused of killing 34-year-old Megan Eekma of southern Alberta.
Police reported that on Nov. 19 the victim was travelling with another person to Alberta from British Columbia, and during the trip an “interaction” occurred resulting in Eekma’s death.
Police said as a result of their investigation and tips from the public, a suspect was identified, and on Nov. 22 the Alberta Major Crimes Unit arrested and charged Martens-Lagasse.

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