REGINA – Mervin Poorman - the man at the centre of a fatal hit and run that claimed the life of a one-year-old boy - appeared in Regina Provincial Court this morning.
Appearing by video from the Prince Albert Correctional Centre, Poorman stands charged with failure to stop after an accident resulting in death, and operation of a vehicle while prohibited.
The charges stem from an incident on the George Gordon First Nation on June 22 at around 5:50 p.m. That was when Punnichy RCMP received a call for service regarding a child having been hit by a vehicle.
Through police investigation, it was determined that a pick-up truck had struck the child, then left. The little boy was declared deceased by EMS on scene.
This launched a manhunt for their suspect, including RCMP issuing a media release to make the public aware of Poorman and the vehicle he was driving.
On the evening on June 23, police caught up with the 33-year-old Kawacatoose First Nation man, arresting him at a home in Cold Lake, Alta.
During his June 27 appearance in Regina, Crown prosecutor Aly Sparks noted the Crown is opposed to Poorman’s release. Poorman noted he has a private lawyer that was supposed to be in court to represent him, and asked Judge James Rybchuk for time to contact legal counsel.
Poorman claimed to not have access to a phone in order to call his lawyer, and Judge Rybchuk canvassed the gallery for anyone in attendance relating to Poorman’s matter. Family members were in attendance, and Poorman’s father agreed to contact his son’s lawyer.
Judge Rybchuk adjourned the matter until tomorrow for a bail hearing.
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