(File photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

RCMP investigation

Trial underway for accused in Thunderchild First Nation murder case

Jan 4, 2022 | 3:10 PM

The trial started Tuesday for the man facing a murder charge, related to a Thunderchild First Nation homicide in 2018.

Ivor Antoine Wapass, 47, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Roger Standingwater, 57, on Sept. 15, 2018. Wapass was arrested Nov. 1, 2019.

Wapass pleaded not guilty to the charge when he appeared in court Jan. 4, 2022.

Representing the Crown in the case are prosecutors Liam Fitz-Gerald and Suzanne Reid, while attorney Jonathan Bodvarson will be acting for the defence.

The court heard the Crown is expected to call 21 prospective witnesses during the trial, scheduled to continue to Jan. 21, 2022.

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The Court of Queen’s Bench jury trial is being held at the off-site location at the Don Ross Centre in North Battleford for the three-week duration, to accommodate COVID-19 restrictions.

During the jury selection process, Justice A.R. Rothery said only individuals who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be eligible to sit on the jury.

The jury members will be seated individually, separated by plexiglass barriers during the proceedings, and will follow social distancing rules and masking protocols.

The Crown hopes to begin calling evidence in the case starting Tuesday afternoon.

According to the initial police report, Turtleford RCMP responded after receiving a report of an unresponsive male at a home on the Thunderchild First Nation on Sept. 15, 2018. When police arrived at the location, the victim Roger Standingwater, was found in medical distress. EMS personnel arrived shortly afterwards and pronounced Standingwater deceased.

The allegations have not been proven in court.

—

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow