Court of Queen's Bench in Prince Albert. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

COVID and Court

Starblanket murder trial postponed due to COVID

Feb 19, 2021 | 8:00 AM

A Prince Albert murder case dating back to August, 2019, will be one of three scheduled upcoming jury trials affected by a province wide postponement order.

The order Thursday from Chief Justice M. D. Popescul, which effectively cancels all scheduled jury trials in April at the province’s Court of Queen’s Bench locations, is in direct response to the most recent information available concerning the public health risks posed by COVID-19.

“The Court of Queen’s Bench is committed to taking the steps necessary to safeguard the health of everyone in our courtrooms and court facilities while ensuring access to justice, upholding the rule of law, and continuing court operations as effectively and efficiently as possible,” he said.

At the conclusion of a pre-trial hearing last November, two weeks were set aside for the Silas Starblanket trial, beginning the week of April 19. He faces a charge of second-degree murder in relation to the death of 19- year-old Evander Sanderson, who was stabbed multiple times in Prince Albert’s midtown area, and later died in hospital.

Moving forward, Justice Popescul indicated the Court will continue to monitor the situation related to COVID-19 and will update the Court’s directives from time to time.

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“Unless otherwise directed by the Justice assigned to the trial, the adjournment of the jury trials postponed as a consequence of this directive will be spoken to in Court or by video or audio conference on the date the matter was originally set for trial,” he said.

For criminal cases affected, arrangements may be made for a re-election to trial by judge alone. If the accused wishes to proceed on that basis, the trial may proceed during the scheduled time period (if there is no other bar to the matter so proceeding).

If there is no re-election, the trial will be adjourned to a date after April 30, 2021.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell