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

By Angela Brown

Homicide Investigation

One of eight accused in Laverdiere homicide investigation moving to pre-trial stage

Jan 31, 2020 | 3:49 PM

One of the eight accused facing charges related to Tiki Brook-Lyn Laverdiere’s homicide investigation returned to North Battleford provincial court Friday, and will now be heading to the pre-trial stage.

Shayla Orthner, 28, appeared via CCTV from Pine Grove Correctional Centre.

Orthner is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle.

Her case is now moving to a pre-trial conference session scheduled for Queen’s Bench Court in Battleford on March 27.

Her defence counsel, Barb Degenstien, appearing by phone, said the accused waives her right to a preliminary inquiry .

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Orthner elected for Queen’s Bench judge and jury trial.

During her appearance, Orthner dealt with three separate provincial charges from Saskatoon outstanding that are not related to the case.

Orthner pleaded guilty to failing to attend court on Sept. 4, 2018 and to breach of an undertaking by failing to keep the peace on Dec. 9, 2018.

For a charge of being in possession of property obtained by crime – greater than $5,000 (a vehicle) on Dec. 9, 2018, she instead pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of being a passenger in a vehicle knowing that it was taken without the owner’s consent.

Degenstien said Orthner had “suspicions the vehicle was stolen but didn’t follow up with that.”

The defence also noted Orthner has no prior criminal record.

Judge Murray Pelletier accepted a joint submission from the Crown and defence and sentenced Orthner to 30 days for each of the three provincial charges to be served concurrently.

Orthner, who has been in custody for some time, has already served 20 days time, which when factoring in credit for time and a half equals 30 days served for these charges.

Orthner remains in custody for her more serious Queen’s Bench case charges.

Seven other accused are also facing charges in the case.

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 July 11 and confirmed to be the Edmonton woman on July 16.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW