A man accused of murder, whose release on bail sparked outrage in Burns Lake, is back in jail.
Albert Giesbrecht, 66, is charged with the first-degree murder of 59-year-old Raymond Bishop, who was found shot to death on the south side of Francois Lake in Southbank on May 18.
Late last month, a judge in B.C. provincial court in Smithers released Giesbrecht on bail, a decision that sparked fear and outrage in the community of Burns Lake.
Crown spokesman Dan McLaughlin said Giesbrecht was arrested on Wednesday and returned to custody.
Authorities not releasing the reason for the arrest, however, McLaughlin said the Crown will ask the court to have Giesbrecht’s bail revoked, and that he remain in custody until his trial.
Giesbrecht’s next court appearance will be set next week.
The judge’s unexpected decision to release Giesbrecht on bail upset the community of Burns Lake. The victim’s brother Steven Bishop told Postmedia that the residents felt demoralized, and they were questioning the justice system.
Giesbrecht was released on Nov. 30 and went home to Burns Lake the same day.
He was subject to 22 release conditions, including house arrest, not using the internet or a cellphone, not possessing firearms, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and not being in a vehicle without court-appointed escorts.
His bail was set at $75,000 and two people acted as sureties.
Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad raised the issue during question period in the B.C. legislature, saying Giesbrecht’s release was concerning for the victim‘s family and everyone in the Burns Lake area.
On his release day, about 40 people protested the bail decision at the intersection of Petersen Road and Highway 16 in Burns Lake.
And Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said his office was taking Giesbrecht’s release very seriously. He said that this kind of pretrial release for murder suspects is rare.
