Accused robber to seek bail from higher court
By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on August 24, 2023.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com A 51-year-old Lethbridge man who was denied bail two months ago in Lethbridge court of justice, will ask a higher court judge to release him when he returns to court next week.Jamie Bagu, who is accused of robbing the same bank twice earlier this year, 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.
Bagu’s previous lawyer had suggested Bagu could be released under several 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 bail conditions or doesn’t show up to court when required. On June 15, however, the judge denied the accused bail.
Evidence presented during the bail hearing, as well as the reasons for the judge’s decision, are subject to a publication ban.
Bagu’s case was back in Lethbridge court of justice this week, where an agent for his lawyer said the accused is scheduled for a bail review next Monday in Lethbridge Court of King’s Bench where he will again attempt to seek his release.
Bagu 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. Follow @DShurtzHerald on Twitter 4
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