BATTLEFORD – A trial for a North Battleford woman charged with first-degree murder in the death of 25-year-old Tiki Laverdiere of Edmonton concluded Tuesday.
Danita Thomas’ trial started Jan. 24. She is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, theft of a vehicle, and improperly interfering with a body.
Wearing grey prison issue sweat pants and sweater, Thomas sat with her ankles shackled throughout. She was remanded to Pine Grove Correctional Centre for women in Prince Albert.
The trial was held at the Dekker Centre in North Battleford due to renovations of the Queen’s Bench Court in Battleford.
Judge Richard W. Elson of Saskatoon reserved his verdict and will hold a conference call with North Battleford Senior Crown Chris Browne and Prosecutor Charlotte Morden and defence Erin Little of Saskatoon on March 8 to set a date to hand down his decision.
Ten people were charged in Laverdiere's murder. She was reported missing to Battlefords RCMP on May 12, 2019. On June 10, 2019, RCMP announced that Laverdiere’s disappearance was the result of foul play and they would be investigating her disappearance as a homicide. On July 11, 2019, a police dog found Laverdiere's remains in a rural area outside of North Battleford while RCMP were conducting a ground search.
Laverdiere was in Saskatchewan April 2019 for the funeral of 20-year-old Tristen Cook-Buckle on Thunderchild First Nation.
Five people have been sentenced so far. There is a ban on publication of all preliminary hearings, trials, and sentencing hearings until the trials of all the co-accused are concluded.
The charges against the remaining co-accused haven’t been proven in court.
ljoy@glaciermedia.ca
