By James Wood

Wendy Scott charged in drug-linked break and enter

Aug 10, 2017 | 4:47 PM

A former murder suspect in Medicine Hat is facing a new set of criminal charges.

Wendy Scott, who was a key figure in the murder trial of Connie Oakes, was arrested in the city last month. Police took Scott and a female companion into custody after a break-in to a unit at the El Bronco Motel.

According to police, she and a female companion had broken into a “multi-dwelling residence”.

The break-in took place in the 1100 block of 1 Street Southwest, around 12 a.m. on July 19. After police investigated the incident, charges were laid against Scott and Kristy Miller, with one count of breaking and entering each, as well as theft.

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The pair have since been released on numerous conditions.

Inspector Brent Secondiak of the Medicine Hat Police Service was not surprised to see Scott facing criminal charges once more.

“She’s got a history with police, (and) we believe this was drug related, so it’s not surprising,” said Secondiak.

“It appears it was over both, drugs, money, and some type of altercation, over what we believe was drugs, or drug debt.”

Secondiak believed the incident brought the first substantial charges for Scott since her former second-degree murder charge was stayed. As for whether or not Scott will become involved with the Priority Street Crime Unit, which handles prolific offenders, Secondiak indicated it was a possibility.

“She may be,” said Secondiak.

“With all offenders, we hope they’re able to see the light. Miss Scott, again, I hope she gets over some of her issues, and is able to be a functioning member of society.”

Scott was arrested back in 2011, after the homicide of Casey Armstrong during the Victoria Day holiday weekend. She was convicted of second-degree murder, and sent to prison with no chance of parole for 10 years in November of 2012.

Following the order of a retrial, however, Scott was released, and a stay of proceedings was granted on January 13, 2017. The Crown has a year to reinstate charges in the murder case, before they are withdrawn automatically.