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Edmonton woman Tiki Laverdiere, 25, was last seen in North Battleford. (supplied photo/Battlefords RCMP)
Homicide investigation

One charged in Laverdiere homicide heading to pre-trial; three others have cases adjourned

Oct 18, 2019 | 2:31 PM

A pre-trial will soon take place for one of eight charged in Tiki Laverdiere`s death.

Brent Checkosis, 18, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle. He was seriously injured during a stabbing at the Saskatoon Provincial Correctional Centre on August 22 and remains in hospital, his defence counsel told court on Friday.

If the case goes to trial, his defence counsel requested a judge and jury and waived right to a preliminary hearing.

The case is scheduled for a pre-trial session at Court of Queen’s Bench in Battleford on Nov. 1. This is closed to the public.

Laverdiere was reported missing May 12 and last seen in North Battleford May 1. Human remains found in a rural area outside of North Battleford were confirmed to be the Edmonton woman July 16.

Three others accused in Laverdiere’s death – Danita Thomas, Shayla Orthner and Mavis Takakenew -appeared in court via closed-circuit television and had their cases adjourned to Nov. 15. Their defence counsels are either waiting for or need to review disclosure.

Orthner and Thomas are charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle. Takakenew is charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Four others are charged in Laverdiere’s death.

Jesse Sangster, Soaring Eagle Whitstone and Nicole Cook are charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle.

Sangster will be back in court Nov. 15. Whitstone and Nicole Cook will return Nov. 1.

Nicole Cook is the mother of Tristen Cook-Buckle, whose funeral Laverdiere attended on April 27 on the Thunderchild First Nation.

Nikita Sandra Cook who is charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping connected to Laverdiere’s death will return to court Nov. 1. She is facing five other separate prior charges that pre-date the current ones.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

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