Mom reports son for breaching conditions

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on July 16, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A Lethbridge man who was released on bail only a few weeks ago, has already breached his release conditions, his mother says.

Cole Randall Martin was released on bail following a hearing last month in Lethbridge court of justice, and he was ordered to live with his mother in Rimbey, Alta. However, during a court hearing Monday, the woman asked to be removed as her son’s surety because he was not adhering to his release conditions.

“He was so good the first week.” she told the judge. “(He) wanted to work, help me with everything. He phoned some of the rehabs, they never got back to him, and he’d phone again, and then the next week it started falling down, getting worse and worse. My health is not good enough to carry on with it.”

The woman said Martin told her he was going to Lethbridge and was going to kill himself, and she told him if he left she would no longer be his surety.

Martin was released on bail June 25, and in addition to living with his mother, he was ordered not to consume alcohol and drugs and to obey a curfew 24 hours a day unless he was in a residential treatment program. He also promised to pay $1,000 if he breached any conditions of his release. His mother was also on the hook as his surety to pay $2,000 if she failed to report any breaches by her son.

The woman was released as his surety on Monday, and Justice Sylvia Oishi ordered a warrant for Martin’s arrest. She agreed with the Crown to hold the warrant until Wednesday, however, to see if the accused shows up for a scheduled court hearing. If he fails to attend court, and a lawyer doesn’t appear for him, the warrant will be released.

Martin, 36, faces two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and single counts of break and enter to commit robbery, robbery with a firearm, assault with a weapon, aggravated assault and being disguised with intent. He also faces two more recent charges of failing to comply with release conditions.

The original charges stem from an incident on March 9 when police responded to a report that a 67-year-old man had been injured during an early morning home invasion. Police learned the man had met a woman online and agreed to meet with her at his home.

When he answered the door, the woman and two masked men, who were armed with a firearm and knife, forced their way into the home. The suspects stole property from the victim, including his wallet and cell phone, struck him in the face with the firearm and cut him with the knife before fleeing in an SUV.

The victim’s bank cards were used at local convenience stores by a man who was recorded on video surveillance and subsequently identified by police. Following further investigation, the woman and the other man were also identified.

On March 11, police found and arrested the woman. A day later the two men were also arrested. One of the men had a black BB handgun and property belonging to the victim.

Donovan James Holmberg, 38, is charged with two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, two counts of using a stolen credit card, and single counts of break and enter to commit robbery, robbery with a firearm, assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, disguised with intent and possession of a firearm while prohibited.

Holmberg’s matter was in court last week, and adjourned until next Monday, ostensibly to set a date for a preliminary hearing.

Amber Louise Dunn, 31, is charged with two counts of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and single counts of break and enter/commit theft, assault with a weapon, aggravated assault and robbery with a firearm.

She was in court last week, as well, and her matter adjourned to Aug. 7 to allow her time to apply to the drug treatment court.