Man charged with bank robberies will have local matters wait until April

It’s still legal limbo locally for a Winnipeg man accused of two bank robberies in the Hat — at least until April 5.

The adjournment to this date was requested Thursday by the defence lawyer acting as agent for 54-year-old Stephen Vogelsang. By then, it will be known whether the accused has obtained bail in Saskatchewan.

Vogelsang was arrested and charged in Medicine Hat in October after two local banks were robbed. After his arrest, police agencies in Saskatchewan announced charges for two bank robberies in Regina, and one in Saskatoon.

Vogelsang secured bail in Medicine Hat but was then transferred to Regina where his bail was denied. A bail review through the Court of Queen’s Bench is soon scheduled.

Raising the Jordan Decision — which sets the timeline for when charges must be dealt with in the legal system — the Crown requested Thursday that a next step be taken on April 5, such as defence counsel officially retained instead of just acting as an agent.

Defence counsel said that most likely a Rowbotham application will be required for Vogelsang to obtain counsel. This application to have courtordered counsel is for those who have been denied legal aid, but can’t afford a lawyer.

The case made national news as Vogelsang is better known for his former job as a news director at CTV Winnipeg, and then becoming a journalism instructor at Red River College in Winnipeg from 2002-2011.