A lawyer for a man charged in connection with the death of Braeden Sparvier on Onion Lake Cree Nation asked for an adjournment to receive more disclosure.
Defence for 22-year-old Twobears Bird told the Lloydminster Provincial Court on June 14 that they were waiting for outstanding disclosure and need time to review it with Bird. Disclosure consists of the Crown’s case against the accused.
Bird was arrested in Prince Albert on Feb. 2, 2021, and charged with accessory to murder. In April the charge was upgraded to manslaughter.
Shari Priscilla Heathen, 28, is charged with second-degree murder in Sparvier’s death. She was arrested in Prince Albert on July 16, 2020, after a lengthy investigation by RCMP Major Crimes Unit North.
Heathen waived her right to a preliminary hearing and elected to be tried in Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench. A date is yet to be determined.
The charges against Heathen and Bird haven’t been proven in court. They both remain in custody.
Sparvier’s body was found on Jan. 1, 2020, east of St. Walburg in the R.M. of Frenchman Butte.
Onion Lake state of emergency
Sparvier’s death was one of three murders in a span of two months that prompted Onion Lake Cree Nation to declare a state of emergency in January 2020 due to escalating drug and gang-related violence.
The body of Braden Richard Bull, 32, of Little Pine First Nation, was found near a highway on Onion Lake Jan. 21, 2020. Vega Bear and Branden Dillon were charged with second-degree murder. They appear next in court in July.
Conrad Mooswa’s body was found Oct. 23, 2019, at a residence on Onion Lake Cree Nation. Marvin Stanley, 28, was charged with second-degree murder in connection to 32-year-old Mooswa’s death. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter. In February he was sentenced to nine years in prison.
If you are associated with a gang and want to leave it, contact STR8 UP in northern Saskatchewan at 306-763-3001, STR8 UP in central Saskatchewan at 306-244-1771, or Regina Treaty Status Indian Services in southern Saskatchewan at 306-522-7494 to get assistance.
Police say the investigation into Sparvier’s death is ongoing and they encourage anyone with information to call Turtleford RCMP at 306-845-4520. Information may 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.
