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

By Nigel Maxwell

Murder trial

Verdict reserved in La Ronge murder case

Apr 12, 2024 | 4:00 PM

Follow the conclusion of testimony and final arguments, the verdicts for two women, accused of murder and kidnapping, have been reserved to June 12.

That was outcome of Friday’s proceedings at Court of King’s Bench in Prince Albert.

Deborah McKenzie and Sharise Sutherland-Kayseas are alleged responsible for the death of Sheena Marie Billette in late 2019. The young mother’s lifeless body was found along a highway, just north of La Ronge.

Sitting side-by-side in the prisoner’s box, the two accused listened intently to the arguments made by the crown and defence lawyers.

The trial itself commenced on Jan. 22 and involved dozens of witnesses. However due to a publication ban, none of the evidence provided can be released including cause of death or how Billette’s body came to be found on the highway.

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The order was made by Madam Justice Zerr, because one of the other co-accused in the case, Charlie Charles, still has outstanding charges and could possibly be tried by a jury and so every effort must be made to protect impartiality. His case will be spoken to during a pre-trial conference on May 3.

Sheena Billette’s father, Willie, was very emotional outside Court of King’s Bench, describing how the family gets re-victimized each time they return. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Willie Billette, Sheena’s dad, was surrounded in the courtroom by family, and afterwards told paNOW everyday is a struggle.

“It’s hard to go to work everyday, it’s hard to go to sleep, thinking about what happened to your daughter”, he said.

Noting his own sister was murdered in 2003, and the subsequent court process that followed, Willie said knew heading into this trial he knew what to expect.

“But it doesn’t get any easier, it gets worse because of the system,” he said. “It’s hard to live everyday with these things hanging over you.”

Reflecting on the two month wait for a verdict, and the fact the family will have to one day sit through another trial, Willie said every time the family returns to court, they get re-victimized.

“And where does it stop. I mean we have a life sentence, we’re gonna live with this for the rest of our lives,” he said.

Also charged in the case was Telsa McKenzie, who after entering a guilty plea to manslaughter, received a sentence of four and a half years.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell