Ramsey Whitehead. Photo courtesy Harvey Fourfeathers.
The accused in a Red Earth Cree Nation first-degree murder case was present in court on Tuesday, as was the family of the victim.
Davis Whitehead, 25, stood in the Melfort Provincial Court prisoner’s box to face the charge of killing 29-year-old Ramsey Whitehead.
Davis is also charged with the aggravated assault of another man, with both incidents occurring on Saturday.
The Melfort judge asked the Crown if there are any witnesses they want Davis to have no contact with, but the Crown said his office is still sorting that out.
Davis has been remanded by consent, and is set to appear in Carrot River court in February.
Outside court, MBC spoke with a man who said he was a brother-in-law and a cousin to both the victim and the accused. A man who was identified as Ramsey’s father declined to comment.
However, online condolences are pouring in to Ramsey’s family and to the Red Earth community.
According his Facebook, Ramsey worked for the band as an electrician and had the nickname “poo-E.” The Cree man was known for cracking jokes, and was also a father. He participated with family in traditional activities like hunting and fishing and is remembered by community as a happy man.
The events of the weekend add to a substantial list of violent fatalities on Red Earth in the past few years.
The community’s leadership has recently announced plans to take action on the rampant issues of drugs and alcohol on reserve.
The autopsy for Ramsey was set to be completed on Monday, which was the same day as his funeral.