The former lawyer for the accused, Ian Mokuruk, on Jan. 25, 2016. A new lawyer has taken on the youth as his client. Photo by Chelsea Laskowski
The Crown says it will apply to have a teen accused in a deadly shooting in northern Saskatchewan sentenced as an adult if he is found guilty.
A 17-year-old boy charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder appeared in court this afternoon in Meadow Lake.
Teacher Adam Wood and teacher’s aide Marie Janvier were killed and seven other people were wounded at the high school in La Loche, while teenage brothers Dayne and Drayden Fontaine were found dead in a nearby home on Jan. 22.
The teen’s case was put over to April 12 in La Loche.
In his first appearance in Meadow Lake court, the teen did not seem overly emotional. At that time, the teen’s lawyer predicted it could take weeks until they get necessary documents to move ahead with the case.
A publication ban was ordered for the seven people who were injured when a shooter opened fire in the school on Jan. 22.
Education Minister Don Morgan says about a dozen teachers from elsewhere in the province are at the high school to help returning teachers adjust.
The elementary school is expected to open its doors to students later this week with the high school following a few days later.
Both schools are expected to have additional security and Minister Morgan says everyone will be reintroduced in a gradual process.
Morgan was in the community over the weekend meeting with local leaders and also spent some time in the school.
“It was a really difficult walkthrough because you knew what had happened and you thought ‘why did this happen in Saskatchewan?’” says Morgan.
He also says repairs and parts of the school will be used by counsellors to help students cope as they gradually resume classes.
“We don’t want to rush this process, but right now the students are saying we want to take back our school,” says Morgan. “So we want to support them in any way we can.”
Minister Morgan says the community will continue to drive the long-term challenges like education, job creation, healthcare and addictions.
“It’s a community of 2,800 people with a high unemployment rate, but they have a strong will and they are a tough group of people and they want to do what is right,” says Morgan.
(With files from the Canadian Press)