Bail for Belyea, but must stay in assisted living

By Southern Alberta Newspapers

A woman accused of killing her husband has been granted the ability to be released on bail, but remains in custody as arrangements for her medical care are being finalized.

Deborah Belyea, 68, of Suffield was charged with second-degree murder and interfering with human remains over the Thanksgiving weekend after the body of her husband, Alfred Belyea, was found on a rural property in Saskatchewan.

A bail hearing at Court of Queens Bench in Medicine Hat held Dec. 17 determined that Belyea could be released from custody while her matters are dealt with by the court.

Conditions for her release include posting a $15,000 cash surety and that she reside, essentially under 24-hour house arrest, at a specific assisted living facility in Medicine Hat.

Her lawyer, Katerine Beyak, had told Medicine Hat Provincial Court in November that she planned to apply for a Queen’s Bench bail hearing before her client’s next appearance.

The matter, taken up on Dec. 21, was instead adjourned to Jan. 25.

During the bail hearing prosecutors opposed the release plan and told Southern Alberta Newspapers on Tuesday that considering the need to receive medical clearance and arrangements, Belyea could be in custody for several more weeks.

During a previous appearance in court via close circuit TV from Medicine Hat Remand Centre, Belyea appeared frail and used an oxygen mask.

She was arrested on Oct. 15, days after the Redcliff RCMP announced they were looking for Alfred Belyea, 72, stating the Cypress County councillor from Suffield hadn’t been seen since before the holiday weekend.

Three days later several RCMP agencies in Alberta and Saskatchewan searched an outbuilding on a rural property south of Piapot, Sask. and announced they had laid the two charges.

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