The body of Sheena Marie Billette, 28, was found on Hwy 102 north of La Ronge. (Sheena Marie/Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Murder cases

‘You gave us a life sentence’: guilty plea entered in La Ronge murder case

Jan 12, 2023 | 5:04 PM

One of four people charged in the death of Sheena Billette has taken responsibility for the role she played, and received a sentence of just over four and a half years.

However with credit for time spent in remand custody, Telsa McKenzie will be out in less than three months.

The 27-year-old appeared Thursday afternoon at Court of King’s Bench. After entering a not-guilty plea to first-degree murder, she then entered a guilty plea to manslaughter for the death of Sheena Billette in Dec. 2019. Her other charges relating to kidnapping and confinement were withdrawn.

As the three co-accused, Charlie Napthalie Charles, Deborah Maggie Mckenzie, and Sharise Justice Sutherland-Kayseas are awaiting trials, the evidence read during the hearing is protected under a publication ban.

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Sheena Billette, 28, was found deceased approximately seven kilometres north of La Ronge. She had four children and according to the victim impact statements read in court by Sheena’s father and aunt, a big hole has been left in the family.

“We live with so much pain, the aunt said.

Sheena’s father Willie wiped away tears as he talked about his firstborn child, and how they had celebrated his wife’s birthday the night prior to Sheena’s passing and were all ready to celebrate Christmas. Then came the terrible news.

“Our hearts shattered into a million pieces,” he explained, adding telling his grandchildren their mother was not coming back is the hardest thing a grandparent has to do.

Speaking directly to McKenzie, Willie reminded her that she will get a chance to see her child grow up, but his daughter will not.

“You gave us a life sentence,” he said.

McKenzie’s sentence represented a joint submission from the Crown and Defence and was ultimately agreed upon by Justice Mills. Mills encouraged McKenzie to take the father’s impact statement to heart and never forget the pain she caused.

Speaking outside the courthouse after, Willie Billette said the family has been failed by the justice system. He added he was however somewhat comforted by the fact the courtroom was full of family and indigenous leaders from across Northern Saskatchewan.

“I’d like to thank the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, Buffalo River Dene Nation, victims services, and all the people that are standing behind me. They drove a long way to help me go through this and it means a lot to me,” he said.

Also charged in the case was Kandi Rose Ratt. The charge of being an accessory after the fact was later stayed by the Crown.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell