Wendy Bird was found deceased in October, 2022. (Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Trial confirmed for North Battleford man charged with death of Prince Albert woman

Jul 26, 2023 | 10:54 AM

Editor’s note: A correction was made at 2p.m. on Tuesday to reflect that the original charge of second degree murder has been upgraded to first degree.

A North Battleford man, charged with the death of a young Prince Albert woman, will be tried by a judge and jury at Court of King’s Bench in Battleford.

That was the outcome of this week’s preliminary inquiry hearing at provincial court in North Battleford for 25-year-old Dustin Cookman-Watts, who is facing a charge of first degree murder. He had been originally been charged with second degree murder.

Trial dates have not yet been set.

On the morning of Oct. 16, 2022, 24-year-old Wendy Bird, a mother of two young boys, ages one and six, was found along Highway 16 near the village of Maymont.

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A person who talked to Bird just days prior to her death, told paNOW she was on her way to Edmonton and had expressed fear someone was after her.

Family members have also divulged to paNOW Bird was wanting to go to school in B.C. to become a youth worker. They described her as a really confident person who loved her kids and her family.

Also charged in the case are Melissa Kaponyas and Cassidy Kiskotagan, who have each charged with accessory after the fact. Their matters are back in court on Nov. 6.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell