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Last accused in Wendy Bird death heading to trial in 2025

Melissa Kaponyas, 19, from Biggar, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
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The body of Wendy Bird, 24, from Prince Albert, was found along Highway 16 on the morning of Oct. 16, 2022, near the village of Maymont.

BATTLEFORD - The last person facing charges in the death of Wendy Bird two years ago will be heading to trial next year.

Melissa Kaponyas, 19, from Biggar, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

She is slated to stand trial on January 2025 at the Court of King's Bench in Battleford.

Cassidy Kiskotagan, age 20, from North Battleford, was sentenced on June 11, 2024 to 730 days on a charge of accessory after the fact to murder, and to 1,461 days consecutive for conspiracy to commit robbery, after pleading guilty. The time she will spend in custody will be less the 873 days she already served in remand.

Dustin Cookman-Watts, 26, from North Battleford, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder on July 11, received a life sentence with no potential eligibility for parole until he has served at least 17 years in custody. 

A fourth individual, Lane Wuttunee, from North Battleford, was acquitted Nov. 2, 2023 on charges of accessory after the fact to murder and interfering with human remains. 

The RCMP previously reported the body of Wendy Bird, 24, from Prince Albert, was found along Highway 16 on the morning of Oct. 16, 2022, near the village of Maymont.

                     

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