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.
