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No bail for 16-year-old Sandy Bay murder suspect

Dec 11, 2017 | 1:00 PM

A Sandy Bay teenager facing a charge of second-degree murder was denied bail today by a Prince Albert judge.

The 16-year-old accused, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was charged in connection with the Oct. 9 death of Jared Philip Merasty in Sandy Bay. Merasty, 19, was rushed to a local health centre for treatment, but later succumbed to his injuries. The youth was arrested and charged by local RCMP the following day, and has remained in custody since.

The evidence heard at the bail hearing cannot be printed due to a publication ban, but after hearing submissions from both the Crown and defence, Judge Steven Schiefner denied the youth’s application for release.

As the lawyers argued, the youth stood in the prisoner’s box staring straight ahead, his hands hidden in his pockets. The teen showed no visible emotion when his bail was denied, or at any other point during the hearing.

In the gallery, many of the seats were filled by members of Merasty’s family, who once again made the long journey from Sandy Bay to Prince Albert in order to watch the proceedings. Many wore t-shirts bearing photographs of the young homicide victim and lettering demanding “Justice for Jared Merasty” and other slogans. Sobbing was heard at several points during the hearing as the facts of the case were read, but Merasty’s family members hugged in celebration when Schiefner announced his decision.

Speaking with paNOW at a previous court date, the victim’s mother Crystal Merasty said she plans to make the journey to Prince Albert every time the youth makes an appearance. Merasty emphasized that she will never stop fighting to see justice served for her departed son.

“I’ll never rest until I get justice,” Merasty said. “I’m going to be my son’s voice while he’s gone.”

The youth will be back in court Jan. 19. He is presumed innocent at this stage.

 

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews