A picture taken of Nathan Waditaka leaving Court of King's Bench on Monday. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

BOXING DAY STABBING

Murder charge downgraded to weapons offence for Wahpeton stabbing case

Oct 17, 2022 | 2:24 PM

While spared the trauma of a two week trial, the victims of a violent incident over two years ago at Wahpeton Dakota Nation may see the perpetrator serve less than two years in jail.

Nathan Waditaka who was initially charged with second degree murder, aggravated assault, and sexual assault, entered guilty pleas to lesser offences today at Court of King’s Bench in Prince Albert. Waditaka, who was on bail, was surrounded by family members as he entered his pleas.

The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to having a weapon in his possession dangerous to the public peace (a knife), and assault causing bodily harm. The sexual assault charge was stayed by the Crown.

The second degree murder charge Waditaka faced was first downgraded to manslaughter before today’s amendments reduced the charge a second time to the weapon charge.

Statement of facts

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The case dates back to Dec. 26, 2019. At approximately 12 a.m. that day, Prince Albert RCMP responded to a report of an injured 17-year-old girl at the Wahpeton Dakota Nation Health Centre. She was found suffering from several stab wounds, and later transported to hospital in Prince Albert.

When investigators returned to the residence on the reserve where the assault happened, they found 19-year-old Zellall Highway in the backyard, suffering from life-threatening injuries. He was pronounced deceased at the community’s health clinic.

Waditaka, who was 19 at the time, was found at a nearby residence, arrested, and transported to hospital to be treated for his own injuries obtained during the incident.

According to facts read in court by Crown prosecutor Keith Amyotte, the incident arose from an altercation outside a house. At that time the female victim was unhappy that Waditaka was alone in a room with Highway’s sister.

The girl confronted Waditaka and an argument ensued. This argument soon turned into a physical fight, at first involving just her and Waditaka, but soon several others joined. At one point, a knife was grabbed and several witnesses saw Waditaka stab the two victims before leaving from the residence.

Waditaka later admitted prior to the altercation with the teenage girl and Highway, he armed himself with a knife, which he had used on both parties.

What’s next?

To allow time for Waditaka to get his affairs in order, and to organize victim impact statements, the sentencing hearing was adjourned to Tuesday at 2 p.m.

Waditaka’s lawyer Brian Pfefferle informed Justice G.A. Meschishnick, the joint sentence submission was for a period in custody of two years, followed by probation. Waditaka has been out on bail for two years and will have five months remand credit.

Representatives for the victims’ families, as well as Waditaka’s family, were present in court Monday. There were also two representatives from the RCMP.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell