NORTH BATTLEFORD — The Queen’s Bench jury trial for a Thunderchild First Nation man charged with second degree murder resumed Tuesday.
Ivor Wapass, 47, is being tried in connection to the death of Roger Fabian Standingwater, 57, who was found unresponsive Sept. 15, 2018 at a home on Thunderchild First Nation, and who later was pronounced dead by EMS on the scene. Wapass was arrested by RCMP Nov. 1, 2019.
The trial is being held at the Don Ross Centre in North Battleford to accommodate social distancing requirements. It commenced Jan. 4 but the proceedings were put on hold Jan. 17 due to one of the participants falling ill.
Tuesday, Feb. 8, the trial resumed with the Crown resting its case and the defence calling two witnesses.
Most of the day’s proceedings consisted of testimony from the defence’s second witness, Colin Hoare, who was called as an expert in the field of bloodstain pattern analysis.
Hoare's testimony focused on his examination of clothes of both Ivor and Cory Wapass, as well as his examination of photos taken at the scene. He made his appearance by video.
In his remarks just prior to calling witnesses Tuesday, defence lawyer Jonathan Bodvarson reminded the 12 members of the jury that Ivor Wapass was presumed innocent, and that it was up to the Crown to prove otherwise.
Bodvarson noted the Crown argued Standinghorn had died due to stomping on the face. But he said the Crown case lacked “details, specifics” and there was extensive “speculation.”
The defence questioning of Hoare wrapped up Tuesday afternoon. The trial is due to resume Wednesday morning with the Crown’s cross examination of the defence expert. It is expected closing arguments will happen later this week.
