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Sylvan Lake man accused of killing wife sought year to compose defence

Satnam Sandhu charged with murder after his wife died Sept. 14
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A Sylvan Lake man accused of killing his wife asked a Red Deer judge for a year to get his defence in order.

Satnam Sandhu, 41, has been charged with second-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated assault in connection with the death of his wife last month.

Sylvan Lake RCMP said they were called to a local home at about 10 a.m. Sept. 11 and found Sandhu’s wife, Kulvinder Sandhu, badly injured.

Sandhu was arrested at the scene.

The 36-year-old woman died in hospital Sept. 14.

Sandhu made his second appearance in Red Deer provincial court on Friday and was asked if he had a lawyer yet.

“I don’t know. My family is working on it,” said Sandhu, speaking through a Punjabi interpeter.

“They want one year, my family, to figure it out.”

When Red Deer provincial court Judge Jim Glass said he could not adjourn the case for that long, Sandhu asked, “How about six months?”

“That’s even outside the realm of possibility for me,” said Glass, who suggested Sandhu might be able to get legal aid.

Red Deer lawyer George Lebessis, who has not been formally retained, but has helped Sandhu in court, said the accused probably does not qualify for legal aid.

And without being retained, Lebessis said he was not in a position to make an application to have a lawyer appointed for the accused.

“I have no money,” said Sandhu. “I can talk to my family. Then I can talk to the lawyer.”

Glass suggested the case be brought back on Nov. 8, but Sandhu asked for more time.

“Can I extend it a little bit more? Towards the end of November, if possible.”

Glass agreed and directed the case to come back to court on Nov. 29, unless Sandhu gets a lawyer who could ask to bring it back to court sooner.

Sandhu remains in custody at the Red Deer Remand Centre.



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