EDMONTON _ Family and friends crowded an Edmonton courtroom on Friday and shed tears as a second man charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of four Alberta Mounties applied for bail.

Dennis Cheeseman, 24, sat quietly with his head bowed as the Crown attorney detailed its case against him _ information that is protected by a publication ban.

It's not clear whether the judge will hand down a ruling today or reserve decision.

Cheeseman's brother-in-law, Shawn Hennessey, was granted bail last month on strict conditions and after providing a surety of at least $500,000.

Hennessey and Cheeseman were charged after RCMP alleged they'd somehow helped James Roszko, who killed himself after shooting four officers on his farm near Mayerthorpe in 2005.

A preliminary hearing to determine whether there's enough evidence to warrant a trial for the two men is set to begin May 12 in Stony Plain, Alta. (CTV Edmonton) © 2008 The Canadian Press