Suspected Little Pine Arsonist To Appear In Court

Suspected Little Pine Arsonist To Appear In Court

Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 14:28

 

 

A trial date for a youth accused of burning down the Little Pine band office could be set next month.

 

The 15-year-old youth accused of the crime will be back in court in Cut Knife on August 4. At that time, he’s expected to enter a plea on the charges.

 

If he pleads not guilty, a trial date could be set.

 

The band office and adjacent medical clinic were destroyed by fire on June 21.

 

The accused’s name cannot be released, under rules set out in the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

 

The youth will remain in custody in North Battleford until his next court appearance.

 

The court has been trying to find a place where the youth could stay if granted bail, but reports presented to the court indicate that nobody wants to house a person accused of arson.

 

There was talk of placing him back on the Little Pine First Nation until his next court appearance.

 

But it’s feared that people who are upset about the loss of the band office might hurt the youth.