False start for Welamukotuk Nine prelim
Nine members of Welmukotuk (Oromocto) First Nation - including Chief Shelley Marie Sabattis, 57 - stand accused of break, enter and assault in alleged instance of vigilantism
A preliminary inquiry for Welamuktoruk (Oromocto) First Nation Chief Shelley Sabattis and eight other members of her community didn’t begin as scheduled Monday due to issues with defence counsel.
The case of nine members of Welamukotuk was back in Fredericton provincial court Monday, scheduled for a three-day preliminary inquiry.
Chief Sabattis, 57; her son and band councillor Allan J.W. Sabattis-Atwin, 37; his husband, Shawn Sabattis-Atwin, 44; the chief’s daughter, Desirae Moon Stevens, 25, and another son, Drae Stevens, 21; brothers Nikia William Sabattis, 41, and Steven Robert Sabattis, 53; Aubrey Landry, 30; and Joel Berrios Jr., 36; are all accused of break, enter and assault at the home of Sonya Atwin in the indigenous community and assaulting her and Anthony Shane O’Blenis on April 29, 2024.
Chief Sabattis also faces a related count of obstructing RCMP officers in the execution of their duties.