Emotions “Running High” After La Loche Shooting
Friday, July 09, 2010 at 14:59
New court dates have been set for two men charged with second-degree murder in the death of a 29-year-old La Loche man.
18-year-old Richie Keanan Herman and 26-year-old Curtis Randall Ecklund are alleged to have shot Matthew St. Pierre.
The incident happened in broad daylight in La Loche on June 5th.
Both men appeared in Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench yesterday with their ankles and wrists in shackles.
Herman’s case will be back in Battleford on July 29th.
Ecklund will appear by video link in La Loche Provincial Court on August 5th.
Herman and Ecklund have both been remanded in custody until those court appearances.
Lawyer Marcel Simenot of Prince Albert represents both men.
Simenot told Madam Justice A.R. Rothery that there’s concern for the safety of all involved — including the accused — because feelings in La Loche are “running high”.
Simenot added he has had a lot of difficulty finding someone who will agree to house one of the accused if bail is granted.
He said that’s because the death is said to be part of a gang war, and virtually everyone involved fears for their safety.