LLOYDMINSTER - A North Battleford man who was arrested in Onion Lake with a semi-automatic rifle and ammunition has been denied bail.
Robin Wuttunee, 43, appeared in Lloydminster Provincial Court by CCTV from Saskatoon Correctional Centre on Aug. 26.
He has been in custody since he was arrested July 17 on Onion Lake Cree Nation after the Nation’s security checkpoint allegedly found him with a semi-automatic rifle in a bag. Onion Lake RCMP were called and they arrested him.
Wuttunee was wanted at the time on multiple outstanding arrest warrants out of Alberta and was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Judge Murray Pelletier said he was denying Wuttunee bail on secondary grounds. This means that detention is necessary for the protection or safety of the public including whether there is a substantial likelihood the accused will commit a further offence or interfere with the administration of justice.
Judge Pelletier ordered a ban on publication of the details revealed at the show cause hearing.
Wuttunee had a lawyer representing him at the show cause hearing but when Judge Pelletier asked him if he had anything to say before he handed his decision, Wuttunee spoke at length telling the court the reasons why he should be released.
Wuttunee is charged with carrying a concealed weapon, two counts of possession of a firearm/ammunition in a vehicle, unauthorized possession of a restricted/prohibited weapon with ammunition, unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, unsafe storage of a firearm, five counts of possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order, and three counts of failing to comply with a release order.
Wuttunee appears next in court on Sept. 9 to enter an election and/or a plea.
The charges against Wuttunee haven’t been proven in court.
