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Trial rescheduled for Lacombe man in 2006 Eckville murder

Jul 9, 2018 | 2:00 PM

Trial has been rescheduled for a Lacombe man accused in the kidnapping of one man and the murder of another in the Town of Eckville nearly 12 years ago. But whether the case actually makes it to trial remains to be seen.

Shayne Earl Gulka, 46 was originally scheduled for trial in May of this year, The trial did not proceed due to crown evidence disclosure concerns brought forward by defence lawyer Michael Scrase.

In Red Deer Court of Queen’s Bench on Monday, a two-week trial was scheduled for April 1-12, 2019 pending the outcome of a series of voir dires to determine the admissibility of evidence.

Those are scheduled for September 4- 14, 2018 at which time a Jordan application from the defence is also expected to be heard.

A successful Jordan application allows charges to be stayed and put on-hold indefinitely if a case takes longer than 30 months to go through the courts. In Gulka’s case, the Jordan date is September 9 of this year as he was charged on March 9, 2016.  

Scrase expressed concern to the court that two weeks would not be enough time for the trial, saying instead that three weeks would be needed. The issue will be discussed during a pre-trial conference next month.

Gulka is charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping with a handgun in relation to the October 24, 2006 death of Bradley Webber, who was found shot to death in his fifth wheel trailer in Eckville.

It’s alleged Gulka and another male kidnapped an unnamed man that day and forced him to give up the name of an associate. The two men then went to Webber’s RV and shot him multiple times.

Kevin Edward Brown of Calgary was also charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping but died in March of this year at the age of 35.