Bail hearing adjourned for Amber Alert suspect

It was another quick appearance in court for Johnathan Gunville.

We were hoping for a bail hearing today in the Johnathan Gunville case — but his lawyer needs more time to review evidence before proceeding. Matter adjourned to Oct. 9. Gunville to remain in custody until then.

— Bryn Levy (@BrynLevy) September 25, 2018

Gunville, 19, of North Battleford was arrested Friday in relation to the Sept. 16 Amber Alert in the city.

He is charged with abduction, unlawful confinement, abandoning a child, dangerous operation of a vehicle, theft of a vehicle, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000, evading police, driving while disqualified and failing to comply with a probation order.

Some of the charges relate to the Amber Alert issued after an SUV was reported stolen from outside a North Battleford strip mall with a six-year-old girl still in the backseat.

She was found safe almost 14-hours later, still inside the SUV which was located in a field in an industrial area.

Lawyer reveals mental health issues

Defence lawyer Bill Archer said Gunville is not a monster.

“He’s a troubled kid. Intellectually challenged.”

“In some respects you could characterize the case as being there were two kids in that car. One was driving,” he said Tuesday.

Archer said Gunville will be remanded to the Saskatoon Correctional Centre until his next court appearance.

Archer was asked if the facility is appropriate given his mental health.

“It’s a jail. They’ve dealt with Mr. Gunville in the past. It’s not going to be a pleasant experience, but he’ll get through it. He’s got some resilience to him.”

Tammy Lavallee told reporters Tuesday her son’s mental health and addictions issues won’t get better if he ends up in jail.

Gunville no stranger to justice system

According to an Aug. 23 post on his Facebook page, Gunville wrote he had just been released from the Saskatoon Correctional Centre.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Corrections and Policing said Gunville had been there since Feb. 19 for breach of probation, theft of a motor vehicle, driving while disqualified and assault.

He was released on Aug. 22.

Supporters show up for Gunville

Several people who knew Gunville growing up were in the courtroom Tuesday for support.

Archer said he has received several phone calls, some from former teachers and educational assistants who wondered if they could have done more.

“There’s a lot of regret and remorse about Johnny. Everyone feels that somehow we all let him down,” Archer said.

Gunville’s bail hearing was adjourned until Oct.9 in North Battleford Provincial Court.