Lawyer requests an adjournment due to client not returning calls

By Jeremy Appel on September 6, 2018.

Medicine Hat News

A local lawyer is having trouble getting ahold of a client accused of gun running, Medicine Hat Provincial Court heard Wednesday.

Cory Rieger’s matters were set for trial but defence lawyer Lyndon Heidinger had to request another adjournment, as Rieger isn’t returning calls.

Rieger faces two counts of possession for the purposes of trafficking firearms, two counts of trafficking firearms and six additional firearms offences.

He was one of four people arrested by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team’s organized crime unit in late January, where nearly 100 grams of methamphetamines were seized, as well as some cocaine, fentanyl and three firearms — a Smith and Wesson handgun, and two .22-caliber rifles.

Rieger isn’t facing any drug-related charges.

Man facing child pornography charges waiting on disclosure

Jonathan Dale Ritz, a Medicine Hat man facing four child pornography-related charges, has yet to receive disclosure from the Crown, court also heard Wednesday.

It was Ritz’s first appearance, although Heideinger appeared on his behalf as counsel.

The case, which has a special prosecutor assigned, was adjourned to Sept. 19.

Ritz faces one count each of possessing, accessing, publishing and observing child pornography.