Court Briefs: Woman charged in connection with stolen property, break-in and then pointing gun at police had no previous record

By Jeremy Appel on August 17, 2018.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com @MHNJeremyAppel

A woman who allegedly helped steal a truck,and ATM, as well as break into a rural residence near Bassano, leading to a chase by the RCMP where she pointed a stolen gun at police, didn’t have any criminal record before 2018, Medicine Hat Provincial Court heard Thursday.

Hailey Morrison appeared in court via closed-circuit TV from the Calgary Remand Centre for her bail application.

“I’ve never dealt with a case where someone pointed a gun at police,” said the Crown.

Morrison was arrested July 17 by Bassano RCMP along with two accomplices.

According to the Crown, after stealing an ATM and Ford pickup truck, they broke into a rural residence, ransacking it and stealing guns.

They were chased by an employee at the farm when Morrison pointed one of the stolen rifles out of the window in their direction.

The police then chased the trio for 20 minutes, with Morrison again pointing the rifle out of the truck’s window in the direction of the vehicle chasing them.

The chase ended when the stolen truck got stuck in the mud.

“Although the allegations are serious, at this point they’re just allegations,” defence lawyer Dale Fedorchuk said, adding there has yet to even be a preliminary inquiry.

Fedorchuk provided a two-word explanation of his client’s alleged behaviour over the past year — “crystal meth” — before reading a letter she wrote, expressing a desire to get help for her addiction.

“I have no excuses for my drug-induced decisions,” wrote Morrison. “None of it was worth it.”

Fedorchuk also noted Morrison has been sober for a month, and has been attending church and reading the bible in jail.

“She has started to turn a corner,” the lawyer said, adding that Morrison wants to go back to school and start her own business.

“She’s fortunate that the lightbulb has turned on at 24 years old and not 42 years old.”

The matter was adjourned to Sept. 11 to set a preliminary inquiry date.

Guilty plea for publishing indecent material

A man accused of publishing indecent photos of a woman without her permission, and assault, as well as causing mischief and failure to stop at the scene of an accident from a separate incident, pled guilty Thursday.

Justin Kleinsasser was in Medicine Hat Provincial Court in person for his 39th appearance for the charges of publishing indecent photos and assault.

Kleinsasser also faces two charges of failure to appear in court and one of attempt to escape custody.

Defence lawyer Lyndon Heindinger requested adjournment to Sept. 6, so he could discuss the remaining charges with the Crown, which was granted.