Victim’s familly calls sentence ‘lenient’ in Buffalo River Dene Nation manslaughter case

“The justice system in Saskatchewan really needs to be looked at.”

The case had been set for a nine-day trial before Billette pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter, down from second-degree murder.

An agreed statement of facts outlined how RCMP responded to reports of an injured man inside a home, where Bekkattla was found unresponsive with blood pooled near the front door, through the kitchen, and into the bedroom. A forensic pathologist later confirmed he died from a stab wound.

Court also heard that the accused and victim had exchanged a series of messages in the hours leading up to the incident that showed escalating tension.

In those messages, Billette wrote, “I’m going to get you” and “I know where your house is.”

Witnesses told investigators Billette was intoxicated and “very upset and angry” before leaving, telling others, “I don’t f*** around.”

Court also heard that in a conversation with his sister after the stabbing, the accused said he had hurt the victim because he was “talking sh*t and lying about him.”

Desjarlais said the case has been difficult for the family to process, especially since they have known the offender for years.

“It puts you in a position of… confusion and anger and all different types of feelings go through your mind,” she said. “Our family hasn’t really been the same.”

Crown prosecutor Greg Chovin and defence lawyer Christopher Koban jointly proposed the five-year sentence.

Upon accepting the joint submission, Hildebrandt said the sentence fell within the range for manslaughter and did not bring the administration of justice into disrepute.

Hildebrandt also pointed to the need for denunciation and deterrence, particularly given that the victim was vulnerable and defenceless due to suffering from a debilitating illness, making the attack more aggravating.

She also recognized the importance of rehabilitation. The court heard Billette, 44, has a lengthy criminal record and a history of alcohol abuse, along with intergenerational trauma linked to his family’s experiences, including residential school impacts.

Desjarlais said the sentence reflects broader concerns, pointing to the need for more supports in First Nations communities, including mental health, addiction services and education.

“For me, what I’ll take from this is the justice system needs to work, a lot of work done, but also at the end of the day, like our people need to heal and our people need to find a way to combat these issues together as a whole, and maybe things like this wouldn’t be happening,” she said.

“When we always talk about recovery and reconciliation, we never think about all the lower-funded programming for on-reserve people.”

A framed picture of Nathan George Bekkattla and his daughters. (Image Credit: Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

In court, multiple family members delivered emotional victim impact statements describing the lasting impact of Bekkattla’s death.

“I truly loved my dad. No matter what happened, this experience has changed so much in my life; my heart will always be broken. I’m so hurt and numb, and all I can say is that I’m truly broken and lost for words,” his daughter Alexandra told the court.

Billette, who has been in custody since his arrest, expressed remorse through his lawyer. Desjarlais said the apology did not sit well.

“The fact that his lawyer said it for him and not him, which was kind of… he was there. He had the opportunity to say it. And I know that really didn’t sit well with the family,’ she said.

“I know it came after the fact, and I know my family was not too happy with that.”

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Kenneth.Cheung@pattisonmedia.com

by Kenneth Cheung

Victim’s familly calls sentence ‘lenient’ in Buffalo River Dene Nation manslaughter case

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