Sask. sisters convicted of murder reunite in front of courthouse with hope to clear their names
Two Indigenous sisters, who are among Canada’s longest serving female inmates, saw each other for the first time in 18 years, outside a Yorkton, Sask. courthouse on Thursday.
The Quewezance sisters were convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in 1994 for the death of Kamsack farmer Anthony Joseph Dolff.
Both sisters have maintained their innocence for nearly three decades and will apply for bail on Jan. 17, while federal prosecutors investigate a possible miscarriage of justice in their case.
In 2021 the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) called for the immediate release of the two sisters after Jason Keshane, a man who was with them the day of the crime, admitted to being responsible for the killing.
“I stabbed him and beat him up,” Keshane told the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network.
Keshane, who was a youth when the crime was committed, was handed a four-year sentence for second degree murder.
“I feel I’m ready for this. I’m really excited to see my sister,” said Odelia Quewezance moments before meeting her sister, Nerissa.
Nerissa arrived in the back of an RCMP vehicle, and then the two sisters hugged outside the Court of King’s Bench in Yorkton. They hadn’t seen each other since their father’s funeral in 2004.
“It was surreal. It was emotional when I was sitting with her in the courtroom,” Nerissa said.
The women were there for a hearing that would determine whether media can report on the upcoming bail proceedings.
Saskatchewan Crown Attorney Kelly Kaip said she requested a publication ban to ensure a fair hearing.
The sister’s defence attorney and co-founder of Innocence Canada, James Lockyer, said there is no new evidence that will taint the proceedings, and the public has a right to know.
The judge has reserved his decision on the publication ban for now, but will announce it next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Being harassed at work? What to consider when deciding what to do next
If you've been the victim of workplace harassment, it can be difficult to feel you're not alone - and even more difficult to know where to go with a complaint.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Half of Canadians support TikTok ban, with U.S. concerns 'trickling' north: poll
A new poll indicates 51 per cent of Canadians support banning the social media app TikTok, after a U.S. bill aiming to do just that passed in the House of Representatives.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.