NORTH BATTLEFORD – A preliminary hearing for a man accused of killing 20-year-old Damian Moosomin isn’t proceeding Monday as scheduled.
The hearing to determine if there’s enough evidence for 23-year-old Tye Partridge of Moosomin First Nation to stand trial on a first-degree murder charge was scheduled to begin May 16 in North Battleford Provincial Court. Instead, his matter will now be spoken to on May 27.
Partridge faces other charges
Partridge also faces charges in two separate incidents.
On May 12, he was to be sentenced on a charge of assault causing bodily harm, and other charges of forcible confinement, mischief, failing to comply with a probation order, and a weapons-related offence were to be spoken to. Those matters were also adjourned to May 27.
In another incident, Partridge was charged with assault, break and enter into a home, and failing to comply with a probation order. Those charges were also set to be spoken to on May 12 but were adjourned to May 27 as well.
Others arrested for Moosomin’s murder
Following an 11-month investigation police arrested six people in connection to Moosomin’s murder. He was reported missing to police May 11, 2020, and his body was found five days later in the backyard of a home in the 1500 block of 105 Street in North Battleford. Police didn’t say how he died but called it a homicide.
Stormy Wapass-Semaganis, 24, from Edmonton was originally charged with accessory after the fact to murder but in May 2021, Regional Crown Prosecutor Chris Browne upgraded the charge to first-degree murder.
In May 2021, defense Bill Archer asked North Battleford Provincial Court for a bail supervision verification report to be prepared. Wapass-Semaganis had a bail hearing in Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench June 14, 2021, and three days later Judge Brenda Hildebrandt handed down her bail decision but banned the publication of her decision.
Melissa Semaganis, 42, from Poundmaker First Nation, was charged with accessory after the fact to murder. She was granted bail in June 2021 but was arrested three months later and charged with failing to comply with release conditions not to consume or possess drugs or alcohol, being at large while on a release order, and possession of methamphetamine contrary to a release order. She was granted bail for a second time in February.
Jannay Blackbird, 33, of Saulteaux First Nation, was charged with second-degree murder. That charge was upgraded to first-degree in May 2021.
A preliminary hearing for Blackbird was held in North Battleford Provincial Court in April and it was determined there was enough evidence for her to stand trial on the first-degree murder charge. Her matter has now gone to Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench to set a trial date.
A young offender, who can’t be identified in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
Denver Roy, 37, from Sweetgrass First Nation, was charged with accessory after the fact to murder and indecent interference with a body.
In May 2021, a psychiatric assessment at the Saskatchewan Hospital forensic unit in North Battleford was ordered to see if Roy was fit to stand trial. In November 2021, Roy pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of improperly interfering with human remains and sentenced to 300 days in jail. He was given 285 days credit for time served while in remand. That meant he only had 15 days left to serve. He was ordered to provide a DNA sample to the National DNA Data Bank.
Judge Michelle Baldwin issued a ban on the details of Roy's sentencing hearing until the remaining accused have gone through the court system. The charges against the remaining accused haven’t been proven in court.
ljoy@glaciermedia.ca
