Zane Leo Jackson, 20, will stay prison after his bail was denied due to the nature of his offences.
Facing charges including taking a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, assault causing bodily harm, threats to cause death, assault with a weapon, resisting police, causing a disturbance, and failing to comply with probation, Jackson was refused release by Honourable Judge Bruce Garriock primarily on the secondary grounds.
St. Paul RCMP were called to a Saddle Lake residence on July 27 after a female was allegedly assaulted by Jackson. Officers found the victim with injuries to her face and transported her to the hospital. She provided a statement to police explaining how an argument escalated and Jackson punched her multiple times. She alleged he also threatened to stab her if she called police and shoot her home, before taking her vehicle and fleeing the scene.
According to Crown prosecutor Renato Di Lorenzo, who described the incident during Jackson’s Tuesday, Dec. 3 court appearance, a second female was injured around the same time period, but this time, Jackson is alleged to have used a knife.
Jackson was later arrested and released on conditions, which he was under when he allegedly committed his second offence on Nov. 22.
Goodfish Lake RCMP responded to a 911 call from Jackson’s aunt who wanted her nephew removed from her residence. She told police he was refusing to leave and causing a disturbance.
Further investigation revealed Jackson was wanted on warrants, and when police attended the property, they located the accused noticeably intoxicated and hiding in a shed.
When RCMP went to arrest Jackson he pulled away and threatened to assault the officers.
The Crown was opposed to Jackson’s release on the primary and secondary grounds. Primary grounds refers to Jackson’s likelihood to attend court while secondary relates to the accused’s probability to reoffend or interfere with the administration of justice.
Di Lorenzo said “the proof is in the pudding,” noting Jackson is currently charged with four counts of breaching conditions and five counts of failing to comply with a probation order.
Di Lorenzo also referenced the domestic nature of the assault, stating “he’s a substantial risk to himself and the public.”
Acting duty counsel Ed Tarrabain detailed the accused’s release plan which included living with his grandmother, fathering his young child, and continuing to work towards completing his GED.
Should Jackson be granted release, Tarrabain said he would be on strict conditions to keep the peace, be of good behaviour, have no contact with the victim, attend treatment and counselling as directed by his bail supervisor, remain in his residence between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., not be in a motor vehicle without the registered owner, and not be behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, among others.
According to Tarrabain, Jackson’s family suffered from alcoholism and addictions issues, which was why he was raised mostly by his grandparents and other relatives.
Jackson uses alcohol and drugs to cope with the loss of the mother of his child, who passed away in 2017, Tarrabain added.
Jackson had been denied bail prior to his Tuesday court appearance , resulting in a reverse-onus situation where he is responsible for proving to the court his release plan will keep him out of trouble.
Garriock didn’t feel as though it was enough, and denied the Saddle Lake First Nation’s band member release from the Edmonton Remand Centre on the secondary grounds.
The accused’s next court appearance is Dec. 17.
