7.49°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

alberta-government-passes-bill-to-expand-use-of-charter-override-drawing-criticism-from-opposition
AlbertaDec 10, 2025

Alberta government passes bill to expand use of Charter override, drawing criticism from Opposition

Alberta’s United Conservative government has approved legislation that reinforces its plan to rely on the Charter’s notwithstanding clause for several measures affecting transgender residents. The vote took place in the early hours of Tuesday after hours of debate in the legislature. The bill confirms the province will invoke the constitutional override to protect three existing laws from legal challenges. Those laws include restrictions on names and pronouns used for students in schools, a prohibition on transgender girls competing in amateur female sports, and limits on gender-affirming
vpd-charges-suspect-in-fatal-downtown-eastside-assault
BCDec 09, 2025

VPD charges suspect in fatal Downtown Eastside assault

Vancouver Police say a two-week investigation has resulted in charges against a man accused in the killing of a Downtown Eastside resident late last month. Detectives from the Homicide Unit began their work on November 28 after a 45-year-old man was found seriously injured near Gore Street and Powell Street in the early morning hours. Investigators allege the victim was assaulted by a stranger around 3 a.m. and later died from his injuries. Police identified a suspect during the investigation and arrested him on Sunday evening near Main Street and Terminal Avenue. Court records show 33-year-ol
coquitlam-rcmp-asks-public-for-video-after-early-morning-fire-at-vacant-apartment-site
BCDec 09, 2025

Coquitlam RCMP asks public for video after early morning fire at vacant apartment site

Coquitlam RCMP is appealing for witnesses and video after an early morning fire damaged a vacant apartment building on North Road over the weekend. Officers were called around 5 a.m. on Sunday to the property at 727 North Road, a site already slated for demolition as part of ongoing redevelopment in the area. Coquitlam Fire and Rescue brought the blaze under control, and investigators with the RCMP’s General Investigation Section are now working to determine how the fire started. Police have not said whether the incident is suspicious, but they are seeking any footage that may show activity
b-c-government-highlights-rental-price-declines-as-new-data-shows-two-years-of-cooling-market
BCDec 09, 2025

B.C. government highlights rental price declines as new data shows two years of cooling market

A new national rental report indicates that British Columbia continues to see some of the sharpest declines in asking rents in the country, marking two consecutive years of easing prices. Data published Monday by Rentals.ca shows average rents for purpose-built and condominium units in the province have fallen 8.5 percent over the past two years, with Vancouver driving much of the downward trend. According to the report, asking rents for purpose-built and condo units in Vancouver are down 15.1 percent from the same period in 2023 and 14.5 percent compared to 2022. November 2025 marked the 24th
punjab-bjp-leader-seeks-time-bound-probe-under-high-court-supervision
IndiaDec 09, 2025

Punjab BJP leader seeks time bound probe under High Court supervision

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar is calling for a time bound inquiry into allegations of corruption in the state, urging Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to order an investigation under the supervision of the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Jakhar said an independent process is needed to examine all leaders, including himself, so the public can see a full accounting of the claims. He questioned the Chief Minister’s recent remarks suggesting he has files related to wrongdoing, asking why those documents have not been opened or shared with an impartial authority. Jakhar said b

Related News