Accused in standoff makes brief court appearance
By Peggy Revell on March 29, 2018.
Medicine Hat News A 38-year-old man involved in a standoff with police made a brief court appearance Wednesday, with his counsel requesting adjournment to May 8. Justin Lagasse remains in custody at the remand centre, with his counsel telling the court the next appearance will be for a summary disposition with joint submission. The standoff began early Feb. 12 when police went to a residence on Cuyler Road to investigateallegationsofcriminalharassmentand uttering threats. Upon arrival, theaccusedisallegedto have produced a firearm andthreatenedtokill himself, andpolice retreated out of the residence, evacuated neighbours and barricaded the street for several hours. After several hours of unsuccessful negotiations, policeresortedto using a chemical agent that led the man to exiting the residence. He was then arrested without further incident. During the accused’s first court appearance, a judge directed he be evaluated under the Mental Health Act, as hewasstill experiencing mental healthdistress. Legassefaces charges of uttering threats, criminal harassmentand multiple firearm related offences. 8-7
