Charlie Napthalie Charles pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Court of Kings Bench in Prince Albert for his involvement in the murder of Sheena Billette on December 23, 2019.
Charles was sentenced to 8 years for his role and involvement in the death of Billette.
Charles is credited with 2400 days for time already served. This leaves him 520 days left to serve in custody.
In court, the family and friends attended the hearing to support the Billette family and to read and present their victim impact statements. Since this court date was on the same day as National Indigenous Peoples Day, there were fewer people in attendance.
Outside of the courthouse, Sheena’s father, Willie Billette, spoke with the media and said that it is always important to attend these hearings, whether it is a preliminary hearing or trial. It is important for him to support his daughter.
“It was important to be here and to look at him and to directly talk to him today, and it’s, what else can I say? It is what it is,” said Billette.
This is the second guilty verdict in the Shenna Billette case to date. Tesla Jane McKenzie pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced on January 13, 2023.
“Any kind of sentence regarding this case will never be enough,” explained Billette.
Chief Norma Catarat of the Buffalo River Dene Nation came to the hearing to show her support for the Billette family.
“We’ve been coming to most of their court appearances as a community. We want to support Sheena as a part of our community, as she was a member of our community and we valued her in the community, and that’s very important to us as Buffalo River Dene Nation because you know it’s hard to lose young people and just to violent crimes, and that’s very heartbreaking, and I know that Willie and Gladys need all the support they can get,” said Catarat.
The publication ban that is in place doesn’t allow sharing of information or statements of facts, evidence, and reasoning for the sentencing. The ban will remain in place until other court matters are dealt with. August 19, 2024, is the date for the sentencing of Deborah Maggie McKenzie and Sharise Justice Sutherland-Kayseas. On that day, the judge will review the publication ban and evaluate if it needs to continue.
(Photo: Chief Norma Catarat and Willie Billette outside courthouse. By Amber Bear)
(Photo of Charlie Charles leaving the Court house. By Amber Bear)