New charges laid in the death of Sask. RCMP officer
A suspect in the death of a Saskatchewan RCMP officer is facing a new charge of first degree murder after previous manslaughter charges were withdrawn, according to RCMP.
Const. Shelby Patton, who worked at the Indian Head detachment, was killed on June 12 after he stopped two suspects allegedly driving a stolen truck in the town of Wolseley, Sask. Patton, 26, was struck by the vehicle and later died at the scene.
Alphonse Stanley Traverse, 42, and Marlene Velma Louise Pagee, 43, both from Winnipeg, were originally charged with manslaughter, failure to stop after an accident resulting in death, theft of a motor vehicle, possession of stolen property over $5,000 and breach of undertaking for leaving Manitoba.
On Friday, Saskatchewan RCMP said both manslaughter charges have been withdrawn. Traverse is now charged with first degree murder, while Pagee is charged with accessory after the fact to murder. All other charges are still before the courts.
“Since June 12, Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crime Unit North investigators have remained committed to the investigation into the death of Cst. Shelby Patton. This includes conducting further witness interviews and completing forensic examinations,” said Assistant Commissioner Rhonda Blackmore, commanding officer of the Saskatchewan RCMP, in a statement.
Traverse appeared by video in provincial court on Friday morning. He is scheduled to be back in court on Dec. 20 at 9:30 a.m. when he will be spoken to by the judge.
Pagee appeared by video from Pine Grove Correction Centre on Friday afternoon. Because the manslaughter charge against Pagee has been dropped, the lawyer representing her is requesting a bail verification report from the judge.
According to the Elizabeth Fry Society, the bail verification process involves gathering interviews that would be shared with the courts to help determine if the accused should be released from custody. The lawyers representing Pagee said there is a residence in Winnipeg secured for her through the Elizabeth Fry Society if she is released.
The judge confirmed he will complete this report. Pagee will remain in custody in the meantime and the matter will return to provincial court on Dec. 2 at 9:30 a.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.