A 17-year-old Fishing Lake First Nations youth was denied bail February 19 on allegations he committed a vicious assault with a weapon that sent a female victim to Saskatoon for emergency surgery.
The defendant cannot be named pursuant to a publication ban as he is under the age of 18.
The Crown opposed his release on the basis of the seriousness of the crime saying it was necessary on the grounds of protecting the public and upholding the public trust in the administration of justice.
The defence, represented by Rhiannon Rees, argued that strict conditions could satisfy the former concern. She addressed the latter concern on the basis the defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence and that Parliament and the Youth Criminal Justice Act view custody as a last resort, particularly for First Nations youth.
Judge Patrick Koskie agreed with the Crown remanding the accused until March 3 for a show cause hearing in Wadena.
