(File photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

RCMP Investigation

Cases for four suspects in Gatzke homicide adjourned

Nov 25, 2020 | 2:33 PM

Four suspects in custody are awaiting further disclosure related to charges in the death of Ryan John Gatzke in Battleford last year.

Jacob Ballantyne, Isaac Melko, Charles McLean and a youth at the time are facing several charges.

Their cases were adjourned in North Battleford provincial court Wednesday.

Jacob Joseph Ballantyne, 25, of Edam, 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, pointing a firearm, possession of a firearm without a licence, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and possession of a restricted firearm while prohibited.

Isaac Melko, 22, of North Battleford, 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 licence, and unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle.

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Charles Michael Lewis McLean, 23, of North Battleford is charged with manslaughter, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and break and enter with intent to commit an indictable offence.

An 18-year-old male North Battleford resident was 17 years old at the time of incident and cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He 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 licence, unauthorized possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and possession of a restricted firearm while prohibited.

Ballantyne is scheduled to return to court Dec. 3. Melko, McLean and the individual facing charges under the Youth Criminal Justice Act will be back Jan. 13.

Gatzke, 27, was found with serious injuries in a Battleford home on Oct. 18, 2019, and later declared deceased after being taken to hospital.

The allegations against the accused individuals have not been proven in court.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW