A new date has been selected for the sentencing of eight individuals in the Poundmaker First Nation treaty land entitlement case.
The individuals, including Chief Duane Antoine, former chief Ted Antoine, Councillor Colin Favel, Bryan Tootoosis, Irene Tootoosis, Norman Antoine, Hickson Weenie and Burton Baptiste, will now be sentenced Jan.22 at 9:30 a.m. in provincial court in North Battleford.
The new date was set by Judge Dan O'Hanlon in provincial court Tuesday afternoon, with lawyers for both the Crown and defence present.
Defence lawyer Grant Scharfstein, who represents six of the accused, appeared by phone while prosecutor Glen Jacques and defence lawyer Ivan Frank appeared in person. In Scharfstein's submission to the court, the adjournment was requested so those accused could have more time to come up with the money for restitution.
The Crown agreed to the defence request for an adjournment, but indicated sentencing must go ahead Jan.22 and that they will not agree to any further adjournments beyond that date.
All accused were implicated in the theft of money from the Poundmaker band's treaty land entitlement fund set aside solely for land purchases. All eight pled guilty earlier this year to theft under $5,000 while Favel, Bryan Tootoosis and Irene Tootoosis also pled guilty to theft over $5,000. Matters involving a ninth accused, Victoria McMillan, are still before the courts.
