SASKTODAY.ca — Catch up with this week's court and crime news. Click on the links below to expand on the stories.
Man accusing of holding hostage makes plea in separate case
Forty-two-year-old Aaron Gardiner of Sandy Bay – who is accused of holding a girl hostage at a remote northern Saskatchewan cabin — has pleaded guilty in a separate incident. He has been in custody since he was arrested almost two years ago. There have been numerous delays in the case against Gardiner after he fired several lawyers and some lawyers quit.
Disappearance being treated as suspicious
A Saskatchewan man's disappearance is now being treated as suspicious and the RCMP’s Major Crime Unit has taken carriage of the investigation.
Saskatchewan RCMP stated on Friday that since Seth Deschambeault, 18, was reported missing to Prince Albert RCMP on June 6. Seth Deschambeault was last seen on May 29 in Prince Albert.
Abduction trial adjourned
A trial for a woman accused of abducting a four-month-old baby boy has been adjourned to December.
This is the second time the trial for 27-year-old Tori Sutherland has been adjourned. It was previously scheduled for September 2021 but was adjourned to June 14. Sutherland is charged with break and enter, assault, abduction of a child, and breach of a release order.
Suspicious death now a homicide
Prince Albert Police are investigating the death of 41-year-old Joseph Sayese, found deceased in the 200 block of 10 Street East in Prince Albert, as a homicide. They were called just before 11 a.m. June 16 for a report of a disturbance at a multi-unit dwelling.
One of accused in death of Tiki Laverdiered faces more charges
One of the accused in the death of Tiki Laverdiere faces other charges but his lawyer has asked that they be dealt with after his trial in Court of Queen’s Bench.
Jesse Sangster is charged with first-degree murder in 25-year-old Laverdiere’s death. Months later, new charges of possession of property over $5,000 obtained by crime and failing to appear in court were laid.
Pelican Lake man pleads not guilty in B.C. man's death
A Pelican Lake First Nation man accused of killing a 54-year-old British Columbia man will be pleading not guilty.
Sixty-one-year-old Walter Jack Abbott was charged in relation to the death of a 54-year-old man from Golden, B.C. Police haven’t released the victim’s name but say Abbott and the victim were known to one another.
Three years for hitting and killing youth on bike
An Onion Lake man has been sentenced to three years in prison for hitting and killing a 13-year-old youth on a dirt bike.
Twenty-eight-year-old Courtney Cook was charged in connection to an incident on Onion Lake Cree Nation on April 25, 2021. He pleaded guilty failing to stop after an accident causing death and driving while impaired.
Missing man found deceased
Yorkton RCMP, who were seeing to locate 54-year-old James Pelletier from Little Bone Zagime Anishinabek First Nation, say the missing man has been found deceased. Pelletier was last seen around 9 a.m. June 13
Prelim wrapping up in North Battleford man's death
A preliminary hearing is wrapping up for a woman charged in connection with 20-year-old Damian Moosomin’s death in North Battleford.
Stormy Wapass-Semaganis, 24, of Edmonton is charged with first-degree murder. She was last in North Battleford Provincial Court last week for the hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for her to stand trial and the matter was adjourned to June 20 to be spoken to.
Woman who drove with car roof ripped off pleads guilty to impaired driving
The Crown has withdrawn several charges against a woman charged with allegedly continuing to drive a car with its roof ripped off after colliding with a semi. Charges of impaired driving, dangerous driving, and failing to stop after an accident were withdrawn against 27-year-old Shayla M. McDonald and she pleaded guilty to impaired driving and flight from police. She was given an 18-month driving prohibition according to information on file at the courthouse.
Sexual assault suspect described by Southey RCMP
Southey RCMP is investigating a report of a sexual assault of a preteen child that occurred the evening of June 9 in the community of Govan.
The suspect is described as about 28 to 30 years old and between five foot seven and five foot ten with a medium build. He has dark brown or black hair and brown eyes with thick, bushy eyebrows. He also has yellowed teeth.
“We are actively investigating this incident and are providing details and this description to the public in case anyone saw this truck or a male of this description in the area on June 9,” says Sgt. Kim Stewart of the Southey RCMP.
Carlyle RCMP releases description of suspect in Redvers sexual assault
Carlyle RCMP are investigating a sexual assault that occurred at the recreation centre in Redvers last weekend.
The suspect is an adult male who is described as having short-to-medium length grey hair and was wearing a grey t-shirt, jeans and boots. The RCMP says he may have a bite mark, wound or bruise on his hand.
Well-known agricultural researcher gets trial date
Former Agriculture Canada researcher Yantai Gan is scheduled to go to trial next year on fraud and breach of trust charges. Gan was working at the Swift Current research centre when the offences allegedly occurred between Jan. 1, 2012, and June 30, 2018.
Regina man charged with child pornography offences
Zackary Bellegarde, 35, of Regina has been charged with child pornography offences in relation to an investigation of possession and distribution of child pornography through two popular online social media applications.
He was released from the Regina Provincial Court on numerous conditions. He will next appear in court on July 28.
Stressed animals seized by RCMP near North Battleford
Charges have been laid against Morris Tokarykr after 308 cattle were seized by Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan in April. He has been charged under the Criminal Code of Canada for causing unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to the animals, and for failure to provide adequate water, food and care. He also faces two charges under the provincial Animal Protection Act for allowing animals to be in distress and failing to comply with a corrective action order. He is to appear in North Battleford court June 27.
