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Preliminary hearing for man accused of killing Gatzke continues in N.B. court

The preliminary hearing for Isaac Melko, 20, accused of killing Ryan Gatzke started this week in North Battleford Provincial Court and will continue Oct. 6.
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A badly injured Ryan Gatzke was found in this house on 26 Street in Battleford in October 2019. He was taken to the North Battleford hospital where he was declared deceased.

NORTH BATTLEFORD - A four-day preliminary hearing for a man accused of killing Ryan Gatzke started this week in North Battleford Provincial Court and will continue Oct. 6.

Isaac Melko, 20, is charged with second-degree murder, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, disguise with intent, carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of a firearm without a license, and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

Police say in October 2019, an injured 27-year-old Ryan Gatzke was found in a house in Battleford. He was taken to the North Battleford hospital where he was declared deceased.

Co-accused Jacob Ballantyne, 25, faces the same charges and his preliminary hearing is scheduled in October.

Charles McLean is charged with manslaughter, break and enter with intent, and a firearms offence.

A young offender - whose name can’t be released in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act - was charged with second-degree murder, break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence, disguise with intent, carry a weapon for the purpose of committing an offence, possession of a firearm without a license, and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

The charges against the accused haven’t been proven in court.

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