Trial Begins For Suspect In Elder Slaying

Monday, May 17, 2010 at 13:41

 

 

A trial has begun in Prince Albert for a Mistawasis First Nation man accused of killing an elder on the reserve back in 2007.

 

Vincent Roderick Dreaver appeared slightly dishevelled in court this morning.

 

His hair was unkempt, and at times, he appeared to be shaking slightly in the prisoner’s box.

 

However, Dreaver did stand up to plead not guilty to the charge of second-degree murder that was read against him.

 

Dreaver is accused of stabbing and killing 81-year-old Antoine Sand on August 6th, 2007.

 

This morning, court heard from Trevor King, a paramedic who was on duty the night Sand was killed.

 

King testified that EMTs found Sand lying face down and slightly on his side outside his house around midnight.

 

King said he had a wound in his right shoulder and another one lower down, both of which were bleeding.

 

According to King, Sand had a slight pulse at first but it disappeared en route to the hospital.

 

A doctor pronounced the elder dead shortly after arrival.

 

Some members of Sand’s family were on hand this morning to observe the start of the five-day trial.

 

One item of note is how Dreaver has elected to be tried.

 

He initially said he wanted judge and jury, but has now elected to be tried by judge alone.