Saretzky trial slated to begin next month

A 24-year-old man accused of killing three people in the Crowsnest Pass in 2015 is set to stand trial next month.

Derek James Saretzky was previously scheduled for a voir dire hearing — a mini trial within a trial — this week, followed by the trial proper early in May. The voir dire, to determine the admissability of evidence, is now set to run the week of May 8 in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench, followed by jury selection May 25-26. The actual trial is set to begin May 29.

Saretzky is facing two counts of firstdegree murder in the deaths of 27-yearold Terry Blanchette and his two-yearold daughter Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette. He is also charged with offering an indignity to a body in the case of the toddler.

RCMP charged Saretzky shortly after Blanchette’s body was found Sept. 14, 2015, at his home in Blairmore. His daughter’s remains were found the next day in a rural field.

The accused is also charged with firstdegree murder in the death of 69-yearold Hanna Meketech. Her body was discovered in her Coleman home Sept. 9, 2015. Police said that as they investigated the deaths of Blanchette and his daughter, evidence surfaced which led them to suspect Saretzky of Meketech’s death, as well. He was charged with her death in April of last year.

Saretzky, who was in custody in a secure area of the Calgary Remand Centre, was previously ordered to have a psychiatric assessment to determine whether he is fit to stand trial and can be held criminally responsible for the crime. At a subsequent hearing, court was told the assessment determined he is fit to stand trial.

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