The justice clock is ticking on the case against an Onion Lake man accused of murder.
Marvin Stanley – accused of killing Conrad Mooswa of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation - had his scheduled Nov. 23 preliminary hearing adjourned and now his Dec. 8 appearance adjourned. The case was adjourned to Feb. 12, 2021, to speak to the matter in Lloydminster Provincial Court.
Stanley, 28, was arrested 14 months ago. The Supreme Court ruled, in 2016, that court cases must be heard within 18 months in provincial court and 30 months in superior court. If they aren’t, the case could be thrown out of court.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created delays and a backlog in Saskatchewan’s court system.
During the first wave of COVID-19, court cases for non-custody accused and docket proceedings at circuit court locations were adjourned from March 23 to June 1. Bail hearings and sentencing for in-custody accused continued by telephone and video-conferencing at the 13 permanent court locations that remained open.
Earlier this week, the province said they were suspending most of its court operations starting next week due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From Dec. 14 to Jan. 15, 2021, most trials, preliminary inquiries and in-person hearings will be cancelled. The matters scheduled will be spoken to by telephone. The province’s Court of Queen’s Bench shelved all jury trials for the remainder of 2020.
Saskatchewan lawyers are concerned about the growing backlog of cases in court because of reduced court services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I think in short we are concerned about a backlog,” said Christine Hansen-Chad, a Partner at OWZW Lawyers and 2019-20 president of the Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers Association.
Hansen-Chad said this time frame is a concern but said many criminal matters are still proceeding during the pandemic.
She added that the court is aware of the timeframe in the Jordan Ruling, saying, “I have nothing but faith they (courts) will take that into consideration as matters proceed going forward.”
In July, Federal Justice Minister David Lametti said the government is prepared to introduce legislation to keep charges from being dismissed due to court delays caused by pandemic-related disruptions.
Onion Lake and its state of emergency
Mooswa’s murder in October 2019 - along with the murders of Braden Bull and Braeden Sparvier in January 2020 - led Onion Lake Cree Nation to declare a state of emergency in January 2020.
Thirty-two-year-old Mooswa’s body was found Oct. 23, 2019, at a residence on Onion Lake Cree Nation. EMS declared him deceased at the scene.
The body of Bull, 32, of Little Pine First Nation was found on Onion Lake Cree Nation Jan. 21, 2020. Sparvier’s body was found Jan. 1, 2020, along a road in the R.M. of Frenchman Butte, which borders Onion Lake Cree Nation.
“The Nation has now experienced three deaths directly related to drugs and gang activity within the last two months, along with numerous high speed chases and violent crimes,” Onion Lake Cree Nation said in their Jan. 24, 2020 media release when declaring a state of emergency.
The charges against Stanley haven’t been proven in court.
If anyone has any information that could assist investigators, please contact Onion Lake RCMP at 306-344-5550. Information can also be submitted anonymously to Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submitting a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers.com.
Onion Lake Cree Nation borders the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan and is located about 50 kilometres north of Lloydminster.
