The cases against two Onion Lake men charged in connection to the murder of Braden Richard Bull, 32, of Little Pine First Nation were adjourned again.
The appearances for Vega Bear, 24, and Branden Dillon, 26, were waived in Lloydminster Provincial Court Feb. 3.
Vega’s defence lawyer Brian Pfefferle told the court he is in discussions with the Crown about a preliminary hearing and disclosure. Both Pfefferle and the Crown requested an adjournment in Vega’s case until March 3.
Dillon also had an appearance scheduled on Feb. 3 and his matter was adjourned to March 3.
Bear was arrested September 2020 and Dillon was arrested the following month. They are both charged with second-degree murder.
Bull’s body was found near a highway on Onion Lake Cree Nation Jan. 21, 2020. Bull was last seen on Jan. 7 and he was reported missing on Jan. 20.
Bull’s death was one of three murders in a span of two months that prompted Onion Lake Cree Nation to declare a state of emergency in January 2020 due to escalating drug and gang-related activity.
Conrad Mooswa’s body was found Oct. 23, 2019, at a residence on Onion Lake Cree Nation. Marvin Stanley was arrested in October 2019 and charged with second-decree murder.
Braeden Sparvier’s body was found Jan. 1, 2020, along a road in the R.M. of Frenchman Butte, which borders Onion Lake Cree Nation. Shari Heathen, 27, was arrested in July and charged with second-degree murder.