The case of Debra Hamann of Bienfait, who is facing several charges in relation to a fatal highway collision on June 24 has been put on hold while she undergoes a 28-day rehabilitation therapy program.
Hamann had been charged with one count of impaired driving causing death, one count of driving while over .08 causing death and one count of dangerous driving causing death. All three charges are under the Criminal Code. The two-vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of Highways 39 and 18, west of Bienfait, and took the life of 35-year-old Bisho Varghese, an Estevan cab driver. A 28-year-old male passenger of the car was also injured.
Hamann was 59 at the time of the collision.
Appearing in court on Sept. 18, much of her time before Judge Lane Wiegers revolved around her request for a court-appointed lawyer. As she is hard of hearing, the judge invited her to stand right beside his bench so she could hear better.
Representing herself at this point, Hamann explained that she has been unemployed since July of 2016 and her employment insurance benefits have run out. With her husband also unemployed, they are facing serious financial difficulties and cannot afford a lawyer. When the judge asked what her income was, Hamann replied she had none.
Judge Wiegers noted that court services had argued she shouldn’t have one appointed. However, he was sending the application back to court services. He also questioned if her RRSPs were indeed locked up until she turned 65.
The judge asked if she had talked to any lawyers to see how much her defence would cost and what their rates would be. Hamann replied she had not. The judge said she should.
Regarding the rehabilitation program she is to enter on Sept. 20, Judge Wiegers said, “That’s probably a good idea.”
The case has been adjourned to Oct. 30.
