By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Men accused in west side standoff granted bail, set new trial date

Jun 7, 2018 | 2:22 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Two men who were taken into custody last week after leaving the province and failing to attend their trial earlier this year, have been released again on bail and with a new trial date in place.

The charges against Brian Fulljames and Forrest Jensen stem from an incident in west Lethbridge in February of 2017, in which the Lethbridge Police Service tactical team was deployed as part of a standoff.

A trial was scheduled for the two men in February of this year, however it failed to go ahead when they were unable to arrange for transport back to Lethbridge on that date – as well as several follow up court appearances – after moving to Ontario. When they did arrive in court on May 30, they were arrested for allegedly breaching release conditions by failing to inform LPS that they were moving to another province.

Defence lawyer Greg White told the media following the arrest that Fulljames told him they had informed police before leaving Alberta.

Jensen was released on $2,500 no cash bail, which means he will only have to pay if he breaches his conditions – those being that he not leave Alberta, reside with either his mother or grandfather in Lethbridge, not possess any weapons, and abide by a curfew.

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 26, 2024

3h ago

Week-in-review: Federal Budget, water agreements and success for tourism industry

Apr 20, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: April 19, 2024

Apr 19, 2024

Fulljames will have to put up $200 in cash for his release with conditions that he not leave Alberta, not possess any weapons, not attend the two residences where Jensen will be staying and contact the police about any change in address. Defence lawyer Ali Aziz noted that Fulljames will be staying at the Lethbridge Shelter.

The one-day trial for the two men is scheduled for Aug. 20.

Background

The charges against Fulljames and Jensen stem from an incident on Feb. 10, 2017, when Lethbridge Police attended a home along Dalhousie Court West to execute a warrant for a male.

They allege a man resisted arrest and brandished a knife, and because they believed there were additional weapons in the home, they withdrew and contained the suspect and another individual inside the residence.

After nearly four hours, both men surrendered to police without incident.

They were each charged with assaulting a peace officer and resisting arrest, while Fulljames alone was charged with uttering threats to cause death.