Welamukotuk Nine jury trial set for Oct. 2026

Oromocto First Nation members, including former chief, accused of break, enter, assaults

Nine members of the Welamukotuk (Oromocto) First Nation accused of an alleged instance of vigilante justice will stand trial before a jury on various charges in a year’s time.

Shelley Marie Sabattis, 57; Allan J.W. Sabattis-Atwin, 37; his husband, Shawn Sabattis-Atwin, 44; Desirae Moon Stevens, 25; Drae Stevens, 21; Nikia William Sabattis, 41; Steven Robert Sabattis, 53; Aubrey Landry, 30; and Joel Berrios Jr., 36; all of Welamukotuk First Nation, are jointly accused of breaking into the home of Sonya Atwin and therein assaulting her and her partner, Anthony Shane O’Blenis.

A judge suggested Monday that the Burton Courthouse wasn’t big enough to accommodate a jury trial in 2026 for nine people jointly charged with break, enter and assaults. (Photo: Don MacPherson/The Fredericton Independent)

Shelley Sabattis, who was the Welamukotuk chief at the time of the incident but who lost the most recent election in early August, is also accused of obstructing police.

The charges allege events in the indigenous community on April 29, 2024.