Not guilty plea
One of the suspects in a New Year's Eve stabbing and robbery at the Kahkewistahaw Gas & Convenience Store pleaded not guilty in Yorkton Provincial Court last week. Bronson Gordon, who is currently serving a six-month sentence in Regina for three Yorkton thefts during the holidays, elected to be tried on one count of aggravated assault, one count of theft under $5,000 and one count of breach of probation by Queen's Court judge alone. A preliminary hearing is set for February 6. Gordon's alleged accomplice, Francis Bellegarde, was scheduled to appear in court yesterday.
Brothers adjourned
Plea hearings for two brothers who are accused of robbing the Loaf N' Jug convenience store on Parkview Road December 11 were again adjourned last week. Mavrick McDonald remains in custody in Regina while George McDonald is free on bail awaiting their next court appearances January 24. Both face charges of theft under $5,000. Mavrick is also charged with wearing a disguise with intent to commit an indictable offence.
Self advocacy
A Yorkton man facing eight months in prison and mandatory addiction counseling will get a chance to argue on his own behalf for a lighter sentence. Appearing by video from Regina Correctional Centre for a sentencing hearing on three counts of breach of probation, Christopher Chernoff fired his defence counsel because he felt he wasn't being adequately represented. He said a pre-sentence report "grossly misrepresented" the facts and asked the judge to give him three weeks to prepare a response. Chernoff will appear in Yorkton January 29 to present his case.
