Space sought for Welamukotuk fracas trial
Sheer number of defendants, counsel in jury proceeding against nine Oromocto First Nation members, including ex-chief, has court searching for different venue for case to be heard
With room needed for nine defendants, nine defence counsel, 12 jurors and others needed for an upcoming jury trial on break-in and assault charges, court staff are scrambling to find a space big enough to accommodate everyone.
A pre-trial conference was held in the Court of King’s Bench at the Burton Courthouse on Wednesday in the case of nine Welamukotuk (Oromocto) First Nation residents facing charges stemming from an alleged incident of vigilante justice.
Former Welamukotuk chief Shelley Marie Sabattis, 57; Allan J.W. Sabattis-Atwin, 37; Shawn Sabattis-Atwin, 45; Desirae Moon Stevens, 25; Drae Stevens, 22; Nikia William Sabattis, 41; Steven Robert Sabattis, 53; Aubrey Landry, 31; and Joel Berrios Jr., 37; all hailing from the indigenous community, are jointly accused of breaking into the home of Sonya Atwin and therein assaulting her and her partner, Anthony Shane O’Blenis, on April 29, 2024.
