Laverdiere homicide suspects Sangster, Checkosis appear in court

Two suspects in Tiki Brook-Lyn Laverdiere’s homicide, including one who was stabbed while in remand, were back in court Friday morning.

Brent Checkosis is facing 14 charges, including accessory after the fact to murder, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle in connection to Laverdiere’s death. Checkosis was seriously injured during a stabbing at the Saskatoon Provincial Correctional Centre on Aug. 22.

Judge Pelletier granted his legal aid lawyer a publication ban on details pertaining to the case heard in court Friday until a trial takes place. His matter returns to provincial court on Oct. 18.

Jesse Sangster, who is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle, made an brief appearance via closed-circuit television.

His case was adjourned until Nov. 15. Counsel expects they will be ready to set preliminary hearing dates at this time.

Six others face charges in connection to Laverdiere’s homicide in May. The 25-year-old Edmonton woman was reported missing on May 12 and last seen in North Battleford on May 1. Human remains were found in a rural area outside of the city on July 11 and confirmed to be the hers on July 16.

Soaring Eagle Whitstone, Nicole Cook, Shayla Orthner and Danita Thomas are charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, improperly interfering with a human body and theft of a motor vehicle.

Cook is the mother of Tristen Cook-Buckle, whose funeral Laverdiere attended on April 27 on the Thunderchild First Nation.

Orthner and Thomas are back in court on Oct. 18. Whitstone and Cook reappear on Nov. 1.

Mavis Quinn Takakenew is charged with accessory after the fact to murder and Nikita Sandra Cook is charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping connected to Laverdiere’s death.

Takakenew’s case is adjourned to Oct. 18 and Cook is back on Nov. 1.

By Tyler Marr, battlefordsNOW News Director