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
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
Hulk Hogan, hurricanes and a blockbuster recording: A week in review of the Trump hush money trial
Crucial witnesses took the stand in the second week of testimony in Donald Trump's hush money trial, including a California lawyer who negotiated deals at the center of the case and a longtime adviser to the former president.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.