Convicted triple murderer to ask for new trial

By mikeblanchard

Posted February 10, 2020 7:39 am.

Last Updated February 11, 2020 6:23 am.

This article is more than 5 years old.

CALGARY (660 NEWS) – It was a case that sent shockwaves across Alberta, and now a convicted triple murderer is asking for a new trial.

Derek Saretzky was given three consecutive life terms in the 2015 murders of Terry Blanchette, his daughter Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette and 69-year-old Hanne Meketech.

He was sentenced in 2017 to life in prison with no chance of parole for 75 years.

RELATED: Derek Saretzky sentenced to life with no parole for 75 years

The appeal calls for the conviction in the death of Meketech to be overturned.

Saretzky originally filed the appeal in Sept. 2017, arguing the sentence is “unconstitutional” and amounts to cruel and unusual punishment.

Calgary lawyer Balfour Der filed the notice of appeal on Saretzky’s behalf.

“We believe there was evidence admitted that should not have been admitted, that there were mistakes made by the trial judge admitting the confessions that were given by Mr. Saretzky,”

The case is set to go before the Alberta Court of Appeal on Monday morning.

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