Man shot by Calgary police remains hospitalized and unable to attend court

A Calgary man facing charges after being shot by police remains hospitalized and unable to attend court, forcing a judge to adjourn the case while seeking updates on his medical condition.

Duty counsel Taylor Greer appeared in Calgary Court of Justice on Wednesday to represent Danny Martin, 36, but indicated she was unable to get instructions from him because he remains at the hospital. When Justice Paul Mason asked why Martin couldn't be reached by phone, Greer explained that she had contacted the Calgary Remand Centre requesting communication with the accused but was told "absolutely no way for me to speak to him and obtain instructions given that he's at the hospital."

Crown prosecutor Melissa Kostiuk revealed the reason: "He's unlikely to be able to give instructions right now, there's a breathing tube."

Martin was shot by a Calgary Police Service officer in the early morning of July 30 after officers were called to the 1000 block of Bridlemeadows Manor S.W. for reports of a disturbance involving a man with a weapon. He had entered a residence, and after approximately two hours, officers engaged him. The confrontation resulted in one officer discharging their service firearm. Martin was transported to hospital in critical condition but his status was later upgraded to stable.

He faces four counts of assaulting peace officers with a weapon. Justice Mason adjourned the case to Thursday, stating: "I'm not being given any information whether he's conscious, or unconscious, so I'm gonna ask the Crown to try to get some updated information as to why he's in the hospital." The judge asked the prosecutor to provide information on whether Martin is conscious and details about his medical condition for the next appearance.