The second degree murder trial for the two men accused of killing a Ponoka teenager two years ago is scheduled to start next week.
Antwon Bull, 19, died of his injuries after an altercation in Wetaskiwin on July 8, 2022.
Wetaskiwin RCMP responded to 40 Ave. east and 56 St. at 8:25 p.m. When EMS arrived, they located Bull, who had sustained life-threatening injuries. He passed away in hospital later that evening.
Adam James Cook, 30, and Morgan Maslin, 22, both from Wetaskiwin, were charged with second degree murder.
Their trial has been set for Dec. 2 to 20, 2024, at the Wetaskiwin Court of King's Bench.
Beaumont murder
Beaumont, Alta. resident Kenneth Skelly is charged with the second degree murder of his common-law spouse Treasa Lynn Oberly.
He was scheduled to appear at the Wetaskiwin Court of King’s Bench on Oct. 29 for a pre-trial conference but the matter was set over to Dec. 10, 2024.
Raine murder
Maskwacis Eroll Rabbit, 59, stands accused of the second degree murder of 66-year-old Gary Gordon Raine in Louis Bull First Nation on Oct. 9, 2023.
A pre-trial conference has been set for Dec. 11, 2024, at the Wetaskiwin Court of King's Bench, following which there will be a bail hearing on Dec. 17.
Jury selection has been scheduled for Sept. 8, 2025, and the trail is to commence from Sept. 8 to 19, 2025.
Omeasoo murder
Chervaine Dean Saddleback, 24, charged with second degree murder, has his next court date on Dec. 19, 2024, at the Wetaskiwin Court of Justice.
On Jan. 28, 2024, Maskwacis RCMP was called to assist EMS with a 25-year-old man, who was then transported to hospital where he was declared deceased.
An autopsy determined that the manner of death was a homicide.
On Sept. 28, 2024, RCMP arrested Saddleback for the murder of Wyatt Omeasoo. Both the victim and the accused were residents of Maskwacis.
Buffalo-Crier murder
Kieran Keith Lightning pleaded guilty to manslaughter with a firearm on Oct. 8, 2024, for the killing of Jordie Buffalo-Crier, 22, a resident of Samson Cree Nation.
Buffalo-Crier's remains were found in a ditch in Maskwacis on Sept.9, 2022. His death was deemed a homicide.
Lightning, 20 at the time, was arrested and originally charged with second degree murder.
After a preliminary hearing from March 25 to 28, at the Wetaskiwin Court of Justice, Lightning was committed to stand trial.
A trial had been set for Dec. 9 to 20, 2024 in Wetaskiwin, however, Lightning pleaded guilty to the lesser charge.
Sentencing has been scheduled for Jan. 21, 2025 at the Wetaskiwin Court of King's Bench.
Johnson murder
Brianna Lindsay Ruf-Deitz of Red Deer, 35, is accused of accused of the first/second degree murder of Tyler Johnson, 26, of Grande Prairie.
The case had been delayed several times. A trial continuation is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2025, at the Edmonton Court of King's Bench.
Johnson’s remains were found in a burned-down house near Ermineskin Cree Nation on March 8, 2021.
Saddleback murder
A pre-trial conference for Ian Lawrence Saddleback, charged with second degree murder, was held on Oct. 11, 2024 at the Wetaskiwin Court of King's Bench.
Jury selection is set to begin on Nov. 3, 2025. The trial is scheduled for Nov. 3 to 14, 2025 at the Westaskiwin Court of King's Bench.
On June 3, 2023, Maskwacis RCMP responded to a report of a stabbing in Samson Cree Nation.
The victim, Gerald Arthur Junior Saddleback, 34, had sustained serious injuries and was declared deceased when EMS arrived.
Attempted murders
Ponoka stabbing
Two people were charged with attempted murder after Ponoka RCMP responded to a report of a serious assault in a residential area in town on Oct. 13, 2023.
The victim had suffered apparent stab wounds among other serious injuries and was taken to hospital.
Cree Lightfoot, 22, and Tracy Lightfoot, 49, are charged with attempted murder.
Their next court date is Dec. 5, 2024 in Wetaskiwin to speak to the court.
Shooting in Louis Bull
Kashton Fearious Bull, 24, has been charged with attempted murder, possession of a firearm contrary to an order and four other weapons-related offences.
He was scheduled to enter a plea on Nov. 5 in Wetaskiwin, but the matter was adjourned until Dec. 19, 2024.
On Aug. 7, Maskwacis RCMP responded to a shooting in front of a residence in Louis Bull.
Emergency workers tended to a 15-year-old victim that had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The victim was flown to hospital with serious life-threatening injuries.
A second victim had been hit by a car and had minor injuries. They were treated and later released.
Wetaskiwin assault
Shaden Francis Buffalo, 36, has been charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault.
He had a court date scheduled for Oct. 1, in Wetaskiwin but it was adjourned. A summary disposition (a court judgment made without a full trial) is now scheduled for Jan. 2, 2025, in Wetaskiwin.
On Aug. 13, Wetaskiwin RCMP received a report that a severely injured male was found in a field by the Hope Mission Shelter.
The victim, 32-years-old, had severe head injuries. He was treated by EMS on site and flown to hospital in serious, life-threatening condition.
