(file photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

RCMP investigation

One of the suspects in Gatzke homicide case to stand trial

May 12, 2021 | 2:00 PM

The case for one of the four suspects facing charges related to the death of Ryan John Gatzke in Battleford in 2019 will be moving to trial.

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.

McLean appeared in North Battleford provincial court by phone on Wednesday.

He elected trial by judge alone at Queen’s Bench Court in Battleford and is next scheduled for a private pre-trial conference on June 11.

Three other suspects are also facing several charges.

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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.

Ballantyne’s case has been set for a preliminary hearing Oct. 18 at 9:30 a.m.

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.

Melko is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 25 at 9:30 a.m.

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.

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@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow