Three men charged in connection to the murder of Ryan Gatzke, 27, in Battleford last year had more court appearances.
Isaac Melko, 22, Charles Michael Lewis MacLean, 23, both of North Battleford, and Jacob Joseph Ballantyne, 25, of Edam, had appearances in North Battleford Provincial Court Oct. 14 via CCTV and the matters were adjourned.
Melko and Ballantyne are 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 in a vehicle.
Maclean was charged with manslaughter, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence.
A fourth person, who is a young offender, was also arrested and 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 in a vehicle. The young offender’s name can’t be released in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
According to North Battleford RCMP, a badly injured Gatzke was found in his home in the 100 block of 26 Street West in Battleford on Oct. 18, 2019. He was taken to the North Battleford hospital by EMS where he was later declared deceased.
Melko, Ballantyne and MacLean are now scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court via CCTV on Oct. 28 to speak to the matter.
