Man accused in bank robberies elects trial by judge and jury

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on October 5, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A 51-year-old Lethbridge man accused of robbing the same bank twice earlier this year, has chosen to be tried by a judge and jury in Court of King’s Bench.
Jamie Gerald Bagu made a brief appearance Wednesday in Lethbridge court of justice, where an agent for his lawyer noted the accused has also chosen to have a preliminary hearing. A preliminary hearing is typically held to determine if there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.
Bagu, who was denied bail in June, is charged with two counts each of robbery with a firearm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, pointing a firearm, use of a firearm while committing an offence, and disguised with intent, and one count each of assault with a weapon and unsafe storage of a firearm.
The charges stem from incidents on March 17 and April 11 at CIBC in the 500 block of 13 Street North.
Police reported that in both cases a man entered the bank, pointed a firearm at employees and demanded money, then fled with an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was injured during either robbery.
A vehicle with distinctive features was identified after it was recorded by a video surveillance camera leaving the area of the second robbery at a high rate of speed. Police later found the vehicle and identified a suspect.
During a court appearance last month, defence noted Bagu is scheduled to have a bail review in the higher court on Oct. 27. The matter also returns to court of justice on Oct. 18 to confirm a date for the preliminary hearing. That date is expected to be set during a pre-trial conference sometime in the next two weeks.

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