Sask. judge grants bail for Quewezance sisters who say they were wrongfully imprisoned nearly 30 years ago
A pair of Saskatchewan sisters have been granted bail after spending almost 30 years in prison for what they describe as a wrongful conviction.
Odelia and Nerissa Quewezance were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison for the 1993 stabbing death of Kamsack farmer Anthony Joseph Dolff.
Following the court proceedings, Odelia spoke to reporters briefly, making a statement and turning down questions from reporters.
“Right now, I’m just overwhelmed and I just want to be with my family … I’m in shock,” she said.
“I always knew in my heart, we’d be free.”
Crown Prosecutor Kelly Kaip said it has been a difficult ordeal for the Dolff family.
“The Crown in the coming days will be carefully reviewing the decision of the judge and will be determining the next steps,” she said.
Justice Donald Layh granted the sisters bail in a hearing on Monday at the Yorkton Court of King’s Bench.
“I am satisfied that the Quewezance sisters have satisfied in a balance of probability, that their application to the ministry is not frivolous, that they will return to court as required and neither the public’s safety and the confidence of the administration of justice is offended by their release,” Layh said in the ruling.
Justice Layh outlined that both Odelia and Nerissa both have been granted day parole in the past and have had it revoked repeatedly due to drug violations and failing to report to their parole officers.
Layh went as far to say the women may have been out 20 years earlier if the parole violations weren’t seen.
However, the court repeatedly referenced the sisters’ upbringing as well as the circumstances of their arrest as determining factors for the decision.
“For example, they were young Indigenous women who had engaged in substantial drug and alcohol consumption within hours of their statements. They were interrogated by exclusively male officers, their statements were neither audio nor video recorded,” Justice Layh explained.
“Clearly the liberty of the Quewezance sisters is at stake, Gladue factors apply. The Quewezance sisters fall squarely within the frequent judicial statements that require the court to consider their experiences as Indigenous women.”
Gladue principles are a way for a judge to consider the unique circumstances and experiences of Indigenous peoples.
Both Odelia and Nerissa will be subject to release conditions including no contact with the victim’s family, relapse prevention programming as well as curfews.
"I hope that something is different about they way you have abided by parole terms. That you accept the confidence of the court and that this matter proceed and that you abide by the terms. This has become crucial it seems to me," Justice Layh told the sisters.
"Any disregard to these terms would not be viewed favourably by the court. So, I wish you the best in your new journey.”
The bail will take effect immediately following the completion of the court's paperwork.
The next steps lay in the hands of the Justice Minister, who will have three options to further the case, according to the sisters’ lawyer, James Lockyer.
Lockyer said they can dismiss the application, refer it to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal or direct a new trial with possible downgraded charges for the pair.
The sisters’ lawyer, James Lockyer, spoke to reporters following the proceedings.
“This is a slow process. This is going to take some considerable time,” he said, with the next decision possibly taking up to a year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Documents reveal Canada praised Haitian sanctioned over alleged gangland connections
A Canadian diplomat and an RCMP officer heaped praise and gratitude on a sanctioned Haitian businessman that Global Affairs accuses of gangland connections, after he allowed a helicopter airlift of Canadian citizens and police at his luxury golf course last month, emails provided by his lawyers suggest.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Minister said 'hundreds' of Canadians might use Gaza visa. More than 7,500 applied.
An immigration lawyer in Toronto says new figures from the federal government show just how 'grudging' Ottawa's efforts have been to rescue Canadians' family members from the war in the Gaza Strip.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.