LLOYDMINSTER – On Wednesday, a three-day trial for an Onion Lake man accused of shooting inside a home last year was scheduled for August in Lloydminster court.
The trial for 24-year-old Lane Ryder Pahtayken of Onion Lake will run Aug. 23 to 25. The matter will be brought back to the court on April 20 to confirm the trial date.
Pahtayken is charged with seven firearms-related offences, flight from a peace officer, dangerous driving, theft of a truck, mischief over $5,000, damage to property, and failing to comply with an undertaking. The charges against him haven't been proven in court.
Crown Prosecutor Steven Larocque asked defence to waive the delay in the case. Paytahken’s trial was previously scheduled for September 2021 but didn’t proceed after the court heard there was a possible resolution between the Crown and defence.
Pahtayken and Gerome Christopher Okemow, 21, also of Onion Lake, were charged in connection to an incident in April 2021 where shots were fired into a home on Onion Lake. Police say the people inside fled to a nearby residence and weren’t harmed. Officers from Onion Lake, Maidstone, Lloydminster, Kitscoty and Elk Point RCMP detachments were dispatched to help locate the two suspects.
Legal Aid lawyer Lee Douglas, who represents Okemow, appeared by phone Wednesday and said he has reached a resolution with the Crown and Okemow is agreeable. Okemow pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, theft of a vehicle, taking a vehicle without consent, discharging a firearm in a reckless manner and failing to stop for police when being pursued. Douglas requested the court order a pre-sentence report on Okemow, which will include Gladue factors. Okemow will be sentenced June 15.
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