Youth charged in La Ronge killing released on bail
One of three teens charged in connection with the death of La Ronge restaurant owner Simon Grant is out on bail.
The 14-year-old boy, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was released from custody following a hearing in La Ronge last month.
The judge’s reasons for allowing his release are banned from publication.
The teen must abide by several court-ordered conditions, including reporting to a youth worker and living at an approved residence.
He is also prohibited from being in La Ronge except to attend court, and he cannot have drugs, alcohol or weapons.
Grant was 64 years old when he died on April 15 after he was assaulted during an armed robbery at his business, Louisiana’s BBQ Restaurant.
The 14-year-old, a 17-year-old boy and 18-year-old Austin Bird are charged with second-degree murder and armed robbery.
Mathew Nagy-Charles, 18, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
Grant’s widow, Cora Laich, said she was in an airport when she learned of the teen’s release.
“I was definitely taken aback. At first it was just sort of like, what am I supposed to feel?
And then almost a numb feeling, mostly because I had to digest the information.”
Laich said she was notified about the bail hearing an hour before it took place.
She believes she should have been given the chance to be involved in the process, she said.
It was also frustrating to hear, from a friend, that the teen was spotted at a mall last week, she said.
“My husband was brutally murdered and in a little over three months, one of the accused is walking in a mall in Prince Albert. Not only for myself but for my daughter, and also an illustration to other young people, that you can do this and be released in a minimal amount of time,” Laich said.
The youth released on bail is scheduled to return to court in September.