BATTLEFORD – A jury trial has been scheduled for January 2025 in Battleford Court of King’s Bench for three people charged in 24-year-old Wendy Bird’s murder.
Dustin Cookman-Watts, 26, from North Battleford is charged with first-degree murder. He was originally charged with second-degree murder. Melissa Kaponyas, 19, from Biggar, and Cassidy Kiskotagan, 20, from North Battleford, are charged with accessory after the fact to murder. The Crown went by way of direct indictment, avoiding the need for a preliminary hearing.
A fourth accused, Lane Wuttunee from North Battleford, was acquitted Nov. 2 on charges of accessory after the fact to murder and interfering with human remains. RCMP didn’t issue a media release about Wuttunee’s arrest and charge in connection to Bird’s murder, but Saskatoon Senior Crown Prosecutor Cory Bliss confirmed with SASKTODAY.ca that Wuttunee was charged in November 2022.
The four arrests came after Warman RCMP found Bird’s body along Highway 16 near Maymont just after 8 a.m. on. Oct. 16, 2022. Bird was from Prince Albert.
Don't count on social media to deliver your local news to you.
here to bookmark SASKTODAY.ca's Crime, Cops and Court section.
