Accused in homicide elects trial by judge, jury

By Southern Alberta Newspapers on April 8, 2022.

A 26-year-old Medicine Hat woman accused of killing another woman during an altercation late last year could schedule a trial when she returns to court later this month.

Calgary lawyer John Oman was in Lethbridge provincial court Thursday, where he confirmed client Melissa Martens-Lagasse will be tried by a Court of Queen’s Bench judge and jury, without a preliminary hearing.

The matter is next set to be heard April 25, ostensibly for Martens-Lagasse to be arraigned and enter pleas.

Martens-Lagasse, who remains in remand custody and appeared in court by CCTV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, is charged with the first-degree murder of Megan Eekma, 34, of southern Alberta. The accused is also charged with one count of causing an indignity to a human body.

Police reported that on Nov. 19, 2021 the victim was travelling with another person to Alberta from British Columbia, and during the trip an “interaction” occurred resulting in Eekma’s death.

Police said as a result of their investigation and tips from the public, a suspect was identified, and on Nov. 22 the Alberta major crimes unit arrested and charged Martens-Lagasse.

7
-6