Second Degree Murder Trial Underway In Battleford

Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at 12:27

 

 

A Battleford court has heard that a Thunderchild First Nation man was beaten to death for allegedly stealing a bottle of liquor.

 

Yesterday was the first day of a two-week-long trial in Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench for 20-year-old Brett Austin Wapass.

 

Wapass is charged with second degree murder in the death of 19-year-old Tristan Paddy.

 

Paddy’s body was found in a home on the Thunderchild First Nation on April 2, 2008.

 

Wapass’s co-accused, 20-year-old Elcee Jimmy, is serving six years for the beating. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter in June 2008.

 

Several RCMP constables testified they were called to the Thunderchild First Nation at about 2:20 a.m. on the day of Paddy’s death.

 

They were told a fight had broken out during a house party.

 

They were also told his attackers had gone to another home.

 

The officers testified they found the two suspects at that residence.