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Accused makes first appearance for Makwa Sahgaiehcan F.N. house fire

Jan 22, 2018 | 4:38 PM

One of the two teenagers charged with manslaughter and arson in a Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation house fire made his first court appearance in Meadow Lake today.

In the early morning hours of Jan. 7, a house fire occurred on the reserve. Loon Lake RCMP said several individuals escaped the home, but a 32-year-old woman was not unaccounted for at that time. Two days later, a body was found in the home, and on Wednesday, Jan. 10, an autopsy confirmed the woman’s identity as Kristen Faye Cantre, 32.

Shandon Chief, 18, appeared in person today at the Meadow Lake courthouse, where the matter was adjourned to Monday, Feb. 5. At 1:30 p.m. Crown indicated today the accused’s family is in the midst of hiring a lawyer. The Crown also included 25-person long list of individuals that Chief is not to have any direct or indirect contact with, including his co-accused, 19-year-old Skye Noltcho, who appeared in Saskatoon court today.

Both accused are from the First Nation and both are charged with manslaughter and arson with disregard for human life.