By Sarah Rae

Stanley pleads not guilty in 22-year-old’s death

Aug 18, 2016 | 12:13 PM

The Biggar-area man charged with second degree murder in the shooting death of Colten Boushie, plead not guilty to a packed court house today.

Gerald Stanley made a brief appearance in North Battleford Provincial Court on Thursday, Aug. 18. While his case was remanded until Sept. 13, Stanley will appear at the Court of Queen’s Bench in Battleford this afternoon to request bail.

More than 100 people gathered outside the courthouse before Stanley’s appearance, holding pictures of their friend and signs which read “Justice for Colten.”

Boushie’s family filled one side of the courtroom; Stanley’s family, escorted in by RCMP, sat on the opposite side. Many in the gallery had tears in their eyes during the proceedings.  

Supporters stayed outside the courthouse after Stanley’s plea was entered, singing, hugging and talking. Some yelled “murderer” or chanted “justice for Colten” as the accused and his family left the building.

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Boushie’s family said they would be moving the group to Battleford for Stanley’s bail hearing.

Spokesperson Sheldon Wuttunee, said the family and supporters wanted to make it clear they did not condone retaliation in Colten’s name. He said the family believes fairness will prevail.

“Although there is a lot of anger, a lot of grief, the legal system will do its part in terms of the RCMP investigation as well as the court process,” he said. “We need to have confidence in that moving forward and hopefully that justice will be served.”

He said the grieving family will find strength in First Nations traditions. Continuing support from across Canada and the United States, will be important moving forward.

“We all need to work together here to be able to support one another,” Wuttunee said. “This is a tragic incident and really relying on our culture, traditions and spirituality moving forward is something that’s going to gain a lot of strength for the family.”

Boushie, 22, was shot and killed last week after he and four friends drove onto Stanley’s farm near Biggar. His family has said they were looking for help after getting a flat tire.

Sarah Rae is battlefordsNOW’s court and crime reporter. She can be reached at Sarah.Rae@jpbg.ca or tweet her @sarahjeanrae.