Phillip Okemow "Philly" was only 27 years old when he passed away last August. (Submitted/Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Not guilty plea entered in Okemow murder case

Mar 18, 2024 | 1:00 PM

Nearly seven months after a man was found deceased at Emma Lake, the man charged with second degree murder has entered a plea of not guilty.

The case was discussed Monday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court.

Wesley Naytowhow, who appeared by way of video from the local men’s jail, is scheduled to be tried by judge and jury at Court of King’s Bench in Prince Albert. However that could change to judge alone, depending on the outcome of discussions from the pre-trial conference.

And before that even occurs, Naytowhow will first appear for a preliminary inquiry hearing at provincial court. Three days at the end of June have been set aside for it.

This will determine if the charge best fits the crime and also if the Crown’s evidence is strong enough for the case to proceed with a trial.

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On August 21, 2023, RCMP responded to a report of an unresponsive man in Emma Lake. They found Philip Okemow’s body in an outdoor location at MacIntosh Point. Naytowhow was arrested last November.

The relationship between the two men is unclear at this time, beyond the fact they are both from Sturgeon Lake First Nation.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell