SASKATOON - A North Battleford man who is accused of going to Onion Lake Cree Nation with a semi-automatic rifle and a lot of ammunition in a duffle bag allegedly tried escaping from jail.
Robin Wuttunee, 43, had an appearance in Saskatoon Provincial Court Thursday on charges of trying to escape a cell or other place within a prison in which he is confined.
Wuttunee is being held at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre since his arrest July 17. This was Wuttunee’s third appearance in Saskatoon Provincial Court on the charge of trying to break out of jail, according to court records. His first appearance on that charge was Sept. 1. He appears again in Saskatoon Provincial Court Sept. 17 for a show cause hearing.
Wuttunee was denied bail in Lloydminster Provincial Court on Aug. 26. In his ruling, Judge Murray Pelletier said he was denying Wuttunee bail on secondary grounds. This means that detention is necessary for the protection or safety of the public including whether there is a substantial likelihood the accused will commit a further offence or interfere with the administration of justice.
Judge Pelletier ordered a ban on publication of the details revealed at the show cause hearing.
Onion Lake RCMP arrested Wuttunee after Onion Lake Cree Nation security allegedly found him with a semi-auto rifle and ammunition. At the time, Wuttunee was also wanted on multiple outstanding warrants in Alberta and was banned from owning firearms. According to the RCMP, Wuttunee has also been designated as a dangerous offender by the courts.
Wuttunee also appeared in Lloydminster Provincial Court Sept. 9 from Saskatoon Correctional Centre. He appears next in Lloydminster court on Sept. 16 to elect how he wants to be tried on his charges out of Onion Lake.
He faces 15 charges including five counts of possession of a firearm contrary to a prohibition order, two counts of possession of a firearm/ammunition in a vehicle, carry a concealed weapon, unsafe storage of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a restricted/prohibited weapon with ammunition, unauthorized possession of a firearm, unauthorized possession of a prohibited device, and three counts of failing to comply with a release order.
The charges against Wuttunee haven’t been proven in court.
