Sentencing for Cody Michell pushed back to March 14

Sentencing has been pushed back to March 14 for a man who pled guilty to vehicle theft and dangerous driving that led to the death of an 18year-old woman.

Cody David Michell, 25, was originally set to be sentenced Thursday, but an adjournment was requested due to the Crown being unable to attend at the last minute.

Michell is accused of stealing a pickup truck on Sept. 11, fleeing in it at a high rate of speed, causing a collision at the intersection of 12th Street NE and Division Avenue, then continuing to drive down 12th Street at an extreme speed until colliding with a Toyota Camry at Parkview Drive.

The driver of the Camry, Cerys Passmore, was pronounced dead at the scene.

When taken to hospital, Michell attempted to pull an officer’s pistol from the holster but was prevented from doing so and brought under control by the officer and medical staff.

Less than two months after the incident, Michell entered guilty pleas to two counts of hit-and-runs, dangerous driving causing death, having a stolen vehicle and attempting to disarm a police officer.

Homicide case

It was a brief court appearance Thursday for a Medicine Hat man charged with extortion and first-degree murder in the death of 64-year-old James Satre.

Robert S. Hoefman appeared by closed-circuit TV before the Medicine Hat Provincial Court from remand, with defence counsel requesting an adjournment to March 21, as they are still awaiting some disclosure.

Hoefman, 55, was originally arrested Nov. 9 on a single count of extortion. The charge of first-degree murder was laid in January.

Satre’s body was found on Oct. 11 in an alleyway near his home by the intersection of Mill Street and Smelter Avenue.

Police also stated Satre appears to be a “victim of circumstance and location,” as he did not appear to be connected to the accused or extortion victims in any matter.