Leonard Robert Terence Beaulieu is shown in this undated handout photo. Beaulieu, is charged with second-degree murder following a New Year’s Eve homicide in Medicine Hat. A decision on whether or not bail will be granted is to come down on Sept. 1. --SUBMITTED PHOTO
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A written decision for whether or not bail will be granted for man charged with second-degree murder following a New Year’s Eve homicide is now set to come down on Sept. 1.
Justice Dallas Miller set the date following Monday’s bail hearing for Leonard Robert Terence Beaulieu before the Court of Queen’s Bench in Medicine Hat.
A publication ban prevents the reporting of evidence, arguments and reasonings put forward during the hearing, in case the accused is to have a trial by jury.
Bail hearings generally require the Crown to prove why an accused should not be released — but in the case of charges like second-degree murder, the defence must prove why bail should be granted.
Beaulieu was charged alongside Luke Boxell following the death of 24-year-old Jordan Pede on New Year’s Eve. Pede was found injured at Strathcona Park, and later died in hospital. Police have called the homicide a drug deal gone wrong, with the cause of death being a gunshot wound. Beaulieu was eventually arrested in Winnipeg, following the issuance of a Canada-wide warrant, and multiple police agencies working together to locate him.
Beaulieu has been in custody at the Calgary Remand Centre since his arrest in Winnipeg, but has now been transferred down to the Medicine Hat Remand Centre, at least until Miller’s decision is handed down.
Beaulieu is being represented by William Wister, the former chief prosecutor for Lethbridge.
A three-day preliminary hearing is currently set for Beaulieu on Dec. 13-15. Held before a judge, a preliminary hearing will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
Boxell has a preliminary hearing set for Dec. 4-6. In March, Boxell was released on a $10,000 cash surety, and strict conditions which include residing under 24-7 house arrest with family in Manitoba.
Note: This story has been updated to correct the age of Jordan Pede.
