Man accused of 2020 murder of Brooks man makes first appearance in court

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on January 26, 2022.

https://www.medicinehatnews.com@MedicineHatNews

The man accused of the 2020 murder of a Brooks man whose body was discovered south of Medicine Hat made his first appearance in court Tuesday via telephone from federal prison.

Julian Conrad Morris, 32, is incarcerated at Bowden Institution in central Alberta and will not be eligible for parole until the fall.

Duty counsel lawyer Bradley Bellmore requested the court adjourn the matter to Feb. 22 so Morris could engage Legal Aid to obtain legal representation.

RCMP major crimes investigators allege that Morris killed Brooks resident Dylan Denault, 27, in early 2020. His body was found near Range Road 61 and Township Road 114, south of Medicine Hat, on Jan. 13 that year. Morris faces a single charge of second-degree murder in the case.

Belyea still in custody

A women accused of first-degree murder remains in jail as she arranges accommodation at an assisted living facility.

That is a main condition to be met following bail hearing held in late December for Deborah Belyea. The 68-year-old Suffield resident is accused of first-degree murder in the October death of her husband, Alfred Belyea, and interfering with human remains.

Her defence lawyer Katherine Beyak told the court Tuesday that arrangements are being completed toward her client’s living conditions.

Belyea would be restricted to the specific facility if released from custody.

Weapon, drug charges

An Airdrie man arrested and charged with possessing a prohibited firearm and drugs during a traffic stop in Medicine Hat has been identified in court as Matthew Laurence Castle, 26.

Medicine Hat police announced Monday they had arrested an unnamed man on Jan. 20, seizing a .22-calibre rifle fitted with a loaded 25-round magazine, and which was altered to appear as a non-lethal “air-soft” rifle.

Police also say they found fentanyl and forged identification documents. He appeared via video feed from Medicine Hat Remand Centre in court Tuesday when the matter was adjourned to Feb. 9 so Castle could seek legal advice.

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