Edmonton woman Tiki Laverdiere, 25, was last seen in North Battleford before her remains were discovered outside the city. (supplied photo/Battlefords RCMP)

By Angela Brown

Homicide investigation

Preliminary hearings scheduled for three accused in Tiki Laverdiere homicide

Jan 17, 2020 | 3:38 PM

Preliminary hearing dates have been set for three of the eight people charged in connection to the death of Tiki Brook-Lyn Laverdiere.

Jesse Sangster, Soaring Eagle Whitstone, and Danita Thomas appeared in North Battleford Provincial Court on Friday.

Sangster, who is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle, will appear for a three-week preliminary hearing from June 22 to July 10. He elected to be tried by judge and jury.

Soaring Eagle Whitstone, who also faces the same charges, will have a three-week preliminary hearing from Nov. 2 to 20.

Danita Thomas, who faces the same charges as Whitstone and Sangster will also have a three-week preliminary hearing from Nov. 30 to Dec. 18.

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All three preliminary hearings will take place at North Battleford Provincial Court. The purpose of a preliminary hearing is to test the Crown’s evidence, and determine whether it is sufficient to proceed with a trial.

Outside of court Friday, Crown prosecutor Chris Browne said there is a reason the court is having three separate preliminary hearings, for Sangster, Whitstone, and Thomas, instead of holding one combined hearing.

“The intention of the Crown is to call the individuals against each other. It’s our position that they provided statements, and we wish to use those statements against all individuals,” he said.

Mavis Takakenew, who is charged with accessory after the fact to murder, waived her right to a preliminary hearing, according to the Crown. She elected a trial by judge and jury at Queen’s Bench Court, but no date is set yet.

Nicole Cook, charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle, had her case adjourned to Feb. 21 as the defence counsel awaits more ongoing disclosure from the Crown.

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

Another of the accused, Brent Checkosis, appeared in court Friday via CCTV on some separate provincial court matters that were adjourned to Feb. 21.

On Dec. 20, 2019, Checkosis pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to the murder of Laverdiere on May 1 in North Battleford. He did not enter any plea to the outstanding charges of improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle. Checkosis is scheduled to return to Queen’s Bench court Feb. 10 for sentencing.

Nikita Cook is charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. As previously reported, she is scheduled to stand trial at the Court of Queen’s Bench in Battleford from Jan. 11 to March 5, 2021. It was set for a year from now because that is when the next court dates were available.

She appeared in provincial court Friday via CCTV on some separate provincial court charges that were adjourned to Feb. 21, 2020.

Those facing charges must continue to abide by a no contact order for a list of 25 individuals whose names are protected under a publication ban.

For Shayla Orthner, who is facing charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle, she is scheduled to appear in North Battleford Provincial Court on Jan. 31, 2020.

Laverdiere, 25, was reported missing on May 12 and last seen in North Battleford on May 1. Human remains were found in a rural area outside of North Battleford on July 11 and confirmed to be the Edmonton woman on July 16.

—

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW