Winnipeg woman killed day after seeking court-ordered protection against alleged killer

Playing null of undefined

Homicide victim sought legal protection against accused killer

Woman found dead at Winnipeg condo complex

An 80-year-old woman found fatally injured at a Winnipeg condo complex Tuesday was in court the day before trying to obtain a peace bond against the man now charged with her murder, CTV News has learned.

Officers said they responded to an apartment complex in the 1200 block of St. Anne’s Road just before 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, where they found the woman with fatal injuries. Police identified the victim on Friday as Gladys Bellamy.

Jose Francisco Raulino, 74, has been charged with second-degree murder and was taken into custody.

A review of audio from a court hearing Monday morning confirmed that Bellamy had sought a peace bond against Raulino. Both were present in court.

Provincial court judicial justice of the peace Weldon Klassen is heard asking Bellamy whether she had the chance yet to speak with mediation services.

“No,” she is heard responding.

“Well, that’s a good idea,” Klassen said. “I recommend everybody start with mediation. And usually, it’s a situation where mediation can find a solution that makes everybody feel heard and happy and safe as much as possible. Doesn’t always work, but it’s usually the best way to go.”

The recording indicates the two were living in the same condo complex on the same floor. One voice indicated they had been neighbours for 14 years.

Two other residents of the complex, including the condo president, were also present and seeking peace bonds against Raulino.

Court heard that mediation services were available, and Klassen recommended the parties speak with a mediator before the hearing stood down.

“Can we speak to this right now?” one of the applicants asked Klassen.

“No, you’re going to talk to mediation services,” he said. The applicant then asked whether they had a choice.

“Yeah, I’m recommending it. If you go against that, it’s not probably a good idea,” Klassen is heard saying.

Approximately 30 minutes later, a representative for mediation services is heard saying that after speaking with the parties, “they would like to proceed with a trial.”

Klassen noted that with three applicants, it is “going to take a while” to have the matter addressed. “JJPs (judicial justices of the peace) are in short supply, and there’s a lot of courts that we preside over.”

Defence counsel for Raulino said he expects the trial to take one day. He also noted that his client’s first language is Portuguese and that Raulino had planned to bring an interpreter to Monday’s hearing, but one was not available.

“This is really a difficult situation, because there’s a lot of moving parts … trying to coordinate something like this, I think we won’t get anything before June or July,” Klassen said.

A spokesperson for the courts confirmed upcoming dates in the peace bond matter are scheduled for May 4 and June 1.

In a statement, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said, “I want to send my deepest condolences out to the loved ones of Gladys Bellamy, and I want you to know that we have you in our hearts and thoughts in this difficult time.”

Wiebe said that he was unable to comment further as the matter is before the courts.

CTV News has reached out to Bellamy’s family and to Raulino’s lawyer, Bruce Bonney, for comment.

With files from CTV News’ Harrison Shin