NORTH BATTLEFORD – A 35-year-old woman accused of child abuse asked the court Friday for another bail hearing.
Charmaine Brett Bear, who is also known as Charmaine Spyglass, appeared by phone from Pine Grove Correctional Centre in North Battleford Provincial Court Friday and asked, “Am I allowed a bail hearing?”
Judge Ian Mokuruk responded, “No you have been denied bail, you have to go to QB at this point.”
Bear also told the court that she was firing her legal aid lawyer because she was tired of waiting for a call back.
“I have been waiting a long time and I don’t want to keep waiting,” she said.
A legal aid lawyer from North Battleford told the court that he doesn’t recall receiving any messages from Bear and said that he had just received her file.
Bear said she was going to hire a private lawyer and asked if she needs a lawyer for a bail hearing at Queen’s Bench. Judge Mokuruk adjourned Bear’s matter to Aug. 23.
Bear was arrested in Calgary, Alberta in May after being wanted by police for 15 months.
Charmaine Bear is charged with aggravated assault, two counts of assault, two counts of uttering threats, failing to provide the necessaries of life, and criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
Her co-accused 35-year-old Lyle Aaron Bear also had an appearance Friday. His matter was adjourned to Aug. 23 and he has a preliminary hearing scheduled for September on charges of failing to provide the necessaries of life, criminal negligence causing bodily harm, aggravated assault, two counts of assault, two counts of uttering threats, and two counts of assault with a weapon. He remains in custody.
Police say their investigation started in December 2020 when they received a report of alleged child abuse.
The charges against Charmaine Bear and Lyle Bear haven’t been tested in court.
ljoy@glaciermedia.ca
