NORTH BATTLEFORD – A preliminary hearing is being held this week in North Battleford Provincial Court for a Meota man accused of killing his wife.
Details of what is said during Michael MacKay’s preliminary hearing can’t be published. Preliminary hearings are held to determine if there is enough evidence for the accused to stand trial.
MacKay, now 39, was arrested in Warman in March 2021 and charged with first-degree murder. He was released on bail in April 2021.
Saskatoon lawyer Nicholas Stooshinoff represents MacKay. North Battleford Crown Oryn Holm is prosecuting the case, and Judge Michelle Baldwin is presiding.
Police say they launched an investigation into 38-year-old Cindy MacKay’s death after health care professionals raised concerns to RCMP when Cindy was in the hospital. Police didn’t provide details of the concerns. Cindy MacKay was taken to hospital in medical distress on Feb. 7, 2020, and died five days later.
The RCMP Major Crime Unit North, the RCMP Historical Case Unit North, the Battlefords RCMP Detachment, the Battlefords RCMP General Investigation Section, and RCMP Forensic Identification Section worked together on the investigation.
The first-degree charge against Michael McKay hasn’t been proven in court.
ljoy@glaciermedia.ca
A previous version of this story included a photo of one of the accused's lawyers, mistakenly identified as the accused.
