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

By Angela Brown

Homicide investigation

Six remaining suspects connected to Tiki Laverdiere death still in court process

May 22, 2020 | 4:08 PM

Now that two of the eight suspects in the Tiki Laverdiere homicide investigation have been dealt with, six remaining suspects are still in the court process.

Two individuals were sentenced at Queen Bench Court in Battleford last week.

After pleading guilty in December 2019, Brent Checkosis was sentenced May 15 to seven years in prison for the charge of accessory after the fact to murder. The two remaining charges of improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle were stayed, the court later confirmed.

Mavis Takakenew was sentenced on May 15 to 18 months incarceration for a charge of accessory after the fact to murder, after pleading guilty to the charge in February 2020.

The court ordered a publication ban on all details of the sentencing hearings until the judge or jury involving all the other six accused have retired to consider their verdict.

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The six remaining suspects will return to court at future dates.

Nikita Sandra Cook is charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping. She is scheduled to stand trial at Battleford Queen’s Bench Court next year, on Jan. 11, 2021.

Nicole Cook, Jesse Sangster, Soaring Eagle Whitstone, Danita Thomas and Shayla Orthner are facing charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle.

Nicole appeared via video-link Friday at North Battleford provincial court and is next scheduled to return to court again via CCTV on May 29 for matters to be spoken to.

Nicole is the mother of Tristen Cook-Buckle, whose funeral Laverdiere attended on April 27, 2019 on the Thunderchild First Nation.

Jesse Sangster is scheduled for what is expected to be a case management session coming up on May 28.

Soaring Eagle Whitstone is scheduled to return to court Aug. 17 for a case management session.

Danita Thomas is due to be back in court Aug. 4 for a case management meeting.

Shayla Orthner is scheduled to return June 8 for a pre-trial meeting.

All of the accused remain in custody.

Laverdiere, 25, was reported missing May 12, 2019. She was last seen in North Battleford May 1, 2019. Human remains were found in a rural area outside North Battleford July 11 and confirmed to be the Edmonton woman on July 16.

–

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW