Defence says man accused of several offences after friend was shot had his rights violated by police

By Medicine Hat News on November 27, 2024.

@MedicineHatNews

A local man charged after his house guest arrived at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital with a gunshot wound will skip a preliminary inquiry and move to trial, where his lawyer plans to argue his client’s rights were contravened.

Court of Justice in Medicine Hat heard defence and prosecutors agree that problems scheduling a preliminary hearing for Chad Lentz could be solved by starting a trial with the understanding that a voir dire hearing on the Charter of Rights challenge would comprise an initial stage.

Defence attorney Allan Fay has previously told court he feels local officers unfairly targeted his client last February when police say a search of his mobile home for security footage led to nine weapons-related charges, along with allegations of obstructing an investigation and charges for a small amount of drugs.

Police became involved last February when an out-of-town man was dropped off at the hospital with a gunshot wound in his leg following a walk nearby the mobile home.

Fay was directed to contact the court management office to determine trial dates.

Lentz is currently on bail.

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