13.48°C Vancouver

Nov 9, 2021 5:01 PM - The Canadian Press

Appeal in Alberta triple murder delayed until Supreme Court weighs

Share On

Alberta's top court has agreed to hear a sentence appeal of a man convicted of killing three people but a hearing date has been delayed indefinitely.

Derek Saretzky was found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2015 deaths of Terry Blachette, the man's two-year-old daughter, Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, and Hanne Meketech.

He was sentenced to life with no chance at parole for 75 years.

His lawyer, Balfour Der, asked the Alberta Court of Appeal for permission to challenge the constitutionality of consecutive parole ineligibility periods.

The Appeal Court says it will hear the appeal, but only after the Supreme Court decides on the case of Alexandre Bissonnette. Bissonnette killed six people at a Quebec City mosque in 2017 and was sentenced to life without parole for 40 years but it was later changed on appeal to 25 years.

Latest news

AlbertaJun 05, 2026

Edmonton police charge man in alleged sexual offences involving minor, seek additional victims

Edmonton police have charged a 30-year-old man in connection with alleged sexual offences involving a minor and say investigators believe there may be additional victims. According to the Edmonton Police Service, Brian Brook Kaskamin was arrested on June 2 and faces several charges, including sexual offences involving a minor and administering an intoxicating substance. The allegations have not been tested in court. Police allege Kaskamin used the Grindr app to contact minors and would often invite vulnerable youth to his residence in northeast Edmonton. Investigators said they are concerned t
vancouver-police-seize-drugs-cash-and-weapons-in-downtown-eastside-trafficking-investigation
BCJun 05, 2026

Vancouver police seize drugs, cash and weapons in Downtown Eastside trafficking investigation

Vancouver Police say officers seized more than $79,000 worth of illegal drugs, cash and weapons following a targeted drug trafficking investigation in the city's Downtown Eastside. According to a Vancouver Police Department release, the operation, known as Project Bingo, began in December 2025 after investigators observed suspected drug trafficking activity at a single-room occupancy (SRO) building near East Hastings Street and Princess Avenue. Police said investigators spent approximately six months gathering evidence before executing a search warrant at the building last month. Officers repo
no-injuries-reported-after-shots-fired-from-moving-vehicle-at-nanaimo-park
BCJun 05, 2026

No injuries reported after shots fired from moving vehicle at Nanaimo park

Nanaimo RCMP are investigating after shots were reportedly fired from a moving vehicle toward people gathered at a local park on Wednesday evening. According to police, the incident occurred at about 8:40 p.m. at Knowles Park near the intersection of Old Victoria Road and Rainier Street. Witnesses reported that the suspects were travelling in a white Audi vehicle carrying multiple occupants. Police said the vehicle left the area immediately after the shooting. No injuries were reported. Investigators believe the shooting was targeted and not a random attack on members of the public. RCMP have
BCJun 05, 2026

B.C. adds 25,000 jobs in May as unemployment rate holds at 6.8%

British Columbia added 25,000 jobs in May, according to the latest Labour Force Survey released by Statistics Canada, reversing part of the employment losses recorded earlier this year. The gain follows a three-month period from February through April during which the province lost approximately 40,000 jobs. Despite the increase in employment, B.C.'s overall unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.8 per cent. According to Statistics Canada data, much of the job growth was concentrated in the construction and manufacturing sectors. B.C. Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Minister Ravi
CanadaJun 05, 2026

Canada joins 11 international partners in calling for restraint amid Lebanon–Israel attacks

Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has joined counterparts from 11 international partners, including Australia and Denmark, in issuing a joint statement expressing concern over ongoing attacks between Lebanon and Israel. The ministers welcomed ongoing ceasefire efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the region and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further escalation. According to the joint statement, civilians must be protected at all times. The ministers said the people of Lebanon have already endured significant hardship and stressed the importance of s

Related News