Family of Hudson Bay murder victim 'devastated', accused appears in Melfort court

A Hudson Bay, Sask. man accused of murdering his estranged wife made his first appearance Tuesday in Melfort Provincial Court.

Steven Lee Lewis, 32, was arrested by RCMP Feb. 3 and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Stacey Lewis, 27.

Lewis did not speak at his court appearance. He stood calmly behind the glass in the prisoner’s box wearing an olive-coloured jacket. His Legal Aid lawyer requested the matter be adjourned for a month while they wait on the Crown to show them the evidence in the case. The request was granted by Judge Stephen Carter.

Members of Stacey’s family were present in the courtroom, but declined to comment.

In a telephone interview with paNOW, Stacey Lewis’ older brother Jason Knutson said their family was overwhelmed by the death.

“My family is devastated,” Knutson said. “Nobody was ever expecting anything like this to happen, and it’s been rough.”

Knutson said the couple were going through a divorce, and were sharing custody of their two young children. The children, Knutson said, are now staying with a family member in Hudson Bay.

He said his sister was a joyful young woman with a love of art and music.

“She was a very happy, fun-loving person, and it’s just very sad that we had to lose her this way,” Knutson said. “The only thing that I want is justice for my sister.”

Knutson said the family will be watching the case closely as it proceeds through the court system.

Lewis will make his next court appearance in Melfort March 14.