Jury at James Smith Cree Nation stabbing inquest begins deliberations
Pratyush Dayal | CBC News | Posted: January 30, 2024 11:00 AM | Last Updated: January 30, 2024
6 jurors tasked with making recommendations to prevent similar tragedies
After listening to more than two weeks of testimony, the jury at the coroner's inquest into the stabbing massacre at James Smith Cree Nation is now deliberating.
The inquest, which began on Jan. 15 in Melfort, Sask., has been examining the events of Sept. 4, 2022, when Myles Sanderson killed 11 people — 10 from James Smith and one from the neighbouring village of Weldon.
During the past two weeks, jurors have heard from 30 witnesses including RCMP officers, a psychologist, forensic pathologists, Sanderson's former partner and officials from the Parole Board of Canada.
Coroner Blaine Beaven charged the members of the jury Tuesday morning before sending them to work on their findings and recommendations.
Beaven noted the jury has been attentive and engaged, and advised them to look at the evidence and not refer to anything else, including media reports.
"Refer to evidence as you have heard," Beaven told the jury.
Beaven said jurors must weigh both the credibility and reliability of what they heard.
"Credibility is whether or not the witness is telling the truth, but reliability is whether the evidence the witness shared is accurate and makes sense," he said.
"Lack of either reliability or credibility can render the evidence to be invalid.… It will be up to you the way you apply the evidence."
Beaven singled out a specific chunk of testimony. Skye Sanderson, the wife of Myles Sanderson's brother, Damien, told the inquest that she called RCMP on Sept. 4, 2022. Beaven said RCMP couldn't find those call details.
"There are gaps in the evidence. There are things we don't know that we may never know," he told the jury. "Gaps in evidence can also play a role in your finding."
Suggestions for recommendations
Beaven informed the jury that they can factor in direct, substantial and hearsay evidence.
"Keep in mind this is not a trial. You are not determining guilt or innocence," he said.
As a part of their findings, the jurors are to prepare a report for each deceased, identifying the location, time and cause of death by referring to each autopsy report. Each of the victims died at James Smith Cree Nation, aside from Wesley Petterson, who died in Weldon, Sask.
The jury can make as many recommendations as they wish, or no recommendations at all.
"Your recommendations will only have value if they are practical, implementable, lawful and based on the evidence," he said.
For example, Beaven said recommendations on any drug usage while an offender is incarcerated would not be valid, as evidence suggested Myles Sanderson was not using any while he was incarcerated.
Beaven said the jury's recommendations should be addressed to specific organizations and people that would be responsible for implementing them.
"The word similar deaths is of importance here. You are not specifically looking to make recommendations that will prevent a mass homicide," he said.
"But you can make recommendations that prevent death. For example, a stabbing incident in a remote community."
Beaven said he will meet with lawyers in camera once a draft of recommendations is available to discuss how they are worded. Then, the coroner may make suggestions to the jury regarding wording, "so they can be more effective."
Hope for change
Family members of the victims and survivors shared their hopes for the recommendations Tuesday morning.
"This inquest is about finding facts. It's not about finding fault," Chelsey Stonestand, who has standing to ask questions on behalf of the family of murder victims Bonnie and Gregory Burns, said.
"But it is important to be noted that the justice system didn't just fail Myles. Indigenous communities failed Myles. Our community failed Myles. Myles's family failed him and Myles failed himself. There's no one person responsible."
Stonestand said the inquest revealed the complexities of the issues in various systems and that it would take "all the agencies working collectively" to bring some resolution.
She said more addiction awareness and cultural ceremonies for offenders in the system could be helpful.
"Having the questions answered did bring some clarity to what we have been questioning over the past year and a half," Deborah Burns, whose father was killed and mother was injured in the attacks, said.
"At the beginning, we were angry. We were confused. We had a lot of questions about the how, and why. Now, we're satisfied. Satisfied with some of it."
WATCH | James Smith Cree Nation stabbing victim says she attended inquest to see change:
Joyce Burns said the inquest made her think of her grandkids and ensuring they don't go down the same path Myles did.
"Changes have to be made in our community and the law. They got to be stricter than they are today."
Darryl Burns, whose sister Gloria Burns was killed, said the inquest showed that communication is one of the biggest gaps in current systems.
"Our inmates are getting passed along in the system, but the information is not flowing freely," he said. "Communication is one of the biggest things that needs to happen in all the systems."
Darryl said the support and ceremonies incarcerated receive while in custody should continue once they are outside in their communities.
"Hopefully our community can come together," he said.
A second public inquest is scheduled to begin on Feb. 26 in Saskatoon and examine the death of Myles Sanderson. He died in custody on Sept. 7, 2022.
WATCH | Brother of James Smith victim says the need for love, self-love root of what needs to change:
Support is available for people affected by this tragedy. The Hope for Wellness hotline offers immediate help to Indigenous people across Canada. Mental health counselling and crisis support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-855-242-3310 or by online chat at www.hopeforwellness.ca.
You can talk to a mental health professional via Wellness Together Canada by calling 1-866-585-0445 or text WELLNESS to 686868 for youth or 741741 for adults. It is free and confidential.
Talking Stick is a Saskatchewan-based free anonymous chat platform that connects people seeking emotional support to a trained Indigenous peer advocate 24/7.