An Onion Lake man accused of killing Braden Richard Bull, 32, has changed lawyers, forcing more adjournments.
Defence lawyer Kathy Hodgson-Smith told Lloydminster Provincial Court on March 3 that she has taken over Branden Dillon’s case and is about to pick up disclosure so an adjournment was needed.
Dillon, 26, and Vega Bear, 24, are both charged with Bull’s murder.
Bear’s defence lawyer Brian Pfefferle appeared for his client as well on March 3. He waived Bear’s attendance and asked for an adjournment. At a Feb. 3 appearance, Pfefferle said he is in discussions with the Crown about a preliminary hearing and disclosure.
Dillon and Bear are now scheduled to appear in Lloydminster Provincial Court April 7. Both are charged with second-degree murder. The charges against them haven’t been proven in court.
Bulls’ murder is one of three murders in approximately two months that prompted Onion Lake Cree Nation to declare a state of emergency in January 2020 after the Nation experienced increased drug and gang-related activity.
Bull was last seen Jan. 7, 2020. He was reported missing on Jan. 20, 2020, and his body was found the next day.
Onion Lake Cree Nation borders the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan and is located about 50 kilometres north of Lloydminster.
