Maureen Palagian holds a photo of her brother, Trevor LaPlante outside of the Prince Albert Provincial Court in August, while awaiting a hearing for the man accused of killing him. A preliminary hearing has now been set.  (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Trevor LaPlante death

Preliminary inquiry set for man accused in LaPlante murder

Oct 1, 2024 | 11:08 AM

A three-day preliminary hearing has been set for 33-year-old Michael Robert Bird, the person accused killing well known local man, Trevor LaPlante.

Bird’s hearing is scheduled for March 12 to 14 at Prince Albert Provincial Court.

After that, the case will head to King’s Bench as Bird’s lawyer also entered in his election to be tried by judge and jury.

He pleaded not guilty to offering an indignity to human remains but cannot enter a plea to the charge of second degree murder in provincial court if the trial is to happen in King’s Bench, said his lawyer Zach Carter.

LaPlante, who was 52, was killed on July 22 of this year, his body was found in a shopping cart and Bird was charged the following day. The death has left family and the community angry and in shock.

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He was well known for his cheerful demeanor at his long-time job at the McDonald’s on Second Avenue and for his unwavering fan support for the Prince Albert Raiders.

The Raiders had a special memorial moment for him at the start of their season.

His sister said that there is no way her brother would have been able to defend himself against an attacker.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com