Stanley case returns to court; decision on bail pending

With supporters of Colten Boushie rallying outside, Gerald Stanley entered a not guilty plea to second degree murder at North Battleford provincial court Thursday morning.

Later in the day, Stanley appeared in Queen’s Bench courthouse in Battleford for a bail hearing. After hearing from the Crown and defence counsel, Justice Neil Gabrielson reserved his decision on bail to a later time. 

The court appearances by Stanley highlighted a dramatic day in the case Thursday. Stanley is charged with the shooting death of Boushie in the rural municipality of Glenside near Biggar.

The case has since sparked a heated discussion on social media and an emotional reaction from area First Nations.

The day began with a morning appearance by Stanley before Judge Bruce Bauer in provincial court.

Stanley’s lawyer Scott Spencer entered a not guilty plea on his behalf inside the courtroom, which was packed with reporters and family members of the accused and the victim. Stanley himself stood in the prisoner’s box, as he had the week before at his first court appearance in North Battleford Provincial Court.

Counsel has agreed to Sept. 13 as the next provincial court appearance in the case, mainly to allow time for lawyers to canvass dates for a preliminary hearing to be held. Stanley is due to appear again on that date by closed-circuit television at 11 a.m. 

Outside the courthouse about 150 to 200 supporters of Boushie waved placards and held pictures, with the placards featuring messages such as “Justice for Colten.”  

The rally was a peaceful one. Part of Railway Avenue outside the courthouse was cordoned off by the RCMP to allow the rally to proceed.

Organizers of the demonstration then announced plans to head to Battleford at 1 p.m., where another rally was staged outside the Battleford courthouse.

Inside, Crown prosecutor Scott Bartlett and defence lawyer Spencer made their submissions before Justice Gabrielson on the issue of bail.

Very little can be reported about those proceedings as a publication ban was issued by Gabrielson covering all the evidence presented in court.

Following the submissions Gabrielson indicated he would reserve judgment, and issue a written decision on whether Stanley will be released pending trial.

After proceedings in court wrapped up, Stanley was ushered out of the Battleford courthouse by police in handcuffs, wearing an orange sweater as well as an orange T-shirt covering his head. He was led into a police vehicle as demonstrators chanted “Justice for Colten.”

Afterwards Sheldon Wuttunee, speaking on behalf of Boushie’s family, issued a statement.

“Though it’s not necessarily the answer we wanted to see, it’s important we do respect the legal process and the investigation,” said Wuttunee, who thanked all those who showed their support.

“It’s very important that we do continue to move forward in a peaceful way, but requesting justice. We can still request it loud, but we need to do it peacefully. We need to have confidence in the justice system that they’re going to remand Mr. Stanley in custody in matters of the public interest, and that means all of us here.”