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

By Angela Brown

Homicide investigation

Eight accused in Laverdiere homicide investigation starting to move through court process

Jan 31, 2020 | 4:28 PM

The eight accused facing charges related to Tiki Brook-Lyn Laverdiere’s homicide investigation are now starting to move through the court process.

Shayla Orthner is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle. Her pre-trial meeting is March 27 at Queen’s Bench Court. Orthner waived her right to a preliminary inquiry. She elected to be tried by judge and jury.

Jesse 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 and Danita Thomas face the same charges as Sangster. Whitstone will have a three-week preliminary hearing from Nov. 2 to 20, while Thomas’ hearing will be from Nov. 30 to Dec. 18.

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.

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Mavis Takakenew, who is charged with accessory after the fact to murder, is scheduled to appear at Queen’s Bench Court Feb. 10 to be spoken to. Her recent pre-trial conference was held Jan. 24.

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 at North Battleford provincial court.

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

Another of the accused, Brent Checkosis pleaded guilty on Dec. 20, 2019 to accessory after the fact to the murder of Laverdiere on May 1, 2019 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. She is scheduled to stand trial at the Court of Queen’s Bench in Battleford from Jan. 11 to March 5, 2021. The dates were set for a year from now because that is when the next court dates were available.

Laverdiere, 25, was reported missing on May 12 of last year 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