24.24°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

BCJun 01, 2026

Fatal Maple Ridge altercation under homicide investigation, IHIT says

A homicide investigation is underway in Maple Ridge after a 28-year-old man died following an altercation on River Road, according to police. Maple Ridge RCMP said officers responded to reports of a fight in progress in the 22300 block of River Road at approximately 6:51 p.m. on May 31. Upon arrival, officers located a man suffering from life-threatening injuries. Despite life-saving efforts by first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has taken over the investigation. According to an IHIT news release, investigators are working wi
court-issues-notice-to-union-minister-ravneet-singh-bittu-over-absence-in-2024-criminal-case
IndiaJun 01, 2026

Court Issues Notice to Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu Over Absence in 2024 Criminal Case

A Ludhiana court has issued a notice to Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu after he failed to appear during proceedings in a criminal case dating back to 2024. The court directed Bittu to appear on June 8. According to court proceedings, the case stems from an FIR registered by Division No. 1 Police in Ludhiana in March 2024. The complaint relates to allegations that a gatekeeper posted at the Municipal Corporation headquarters was prevented from carrying out his duties during a protest. The case names Bittu, Congress leader Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Sanjay Talwar, Sham Sund
WorldJun 01, 2026

Iran Suspends Ceasefire Talks With U.S. Following Israeli Strikes in Lebanon

Iran has suspended ongoing ceasefire-related talks with the United States following recent Israeli military strikes in Lebanon, according to Iranian media reports. Iranian officials said maintaining peace and stability in Lebanon was a key condition of any ceasefire framework. Tehran argues that the agreement is now being violated on multiple fronts, including in Lebanon. Iran has called for an immediate halt to Israeli military operations in both Gaza and Lebanon. It has also demanded the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory. According to Iranian media, Iranian authoritie
poilievre-accuses-carney-of-avoiding-accountability-amid-economic-downturn-claims
CanadaJun 01, 2026

Poilievre Accuses Carney of Avoiding Accountability Amid Economic Downturn Claims

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre accused Prime Minister Mark Carney of avoiding accountability for Canada's economic challenges, citing recent Statistics Canada data during a news conference in Ottawa ahead of the House of Commons sitting. Poilievre said Canada has officially entered a recession and claimed it is the only G7 country currently facing that situation. He also criticized Carney for not being present during Question Period, arguing Canadians deserve answers about the country's economic performance. The Conservative leader said the downturn is affecting households beyond what
AlbertaJun 01, 2026

RCMP urge residents to stay clear of Bow River amid high water levels

RCMP west of Calgary are urging residents to stay away from the Bow River as water levels remain elevated following recent rainfall and snowmelt. According to a release from the Cochrane RCMP, officers have responded to multiple reports of people venturing too close to the river despite hazardous conditions. The Bow River originates at Bow Lake in Banff National Park and flows through communities including Canmore and Calgary. Police said fast-moving water and changing river conditions can increase the risk of injury or drowning. RCMP are asking residents and visitors to prioritize safety by k

Related News