Deborah McKenzie and Sharise Sutherland-Kayseas attended their sentencing hearing in person today at the Court of Kings Bench in Prince Albert for the murder of Sheena Billette on December 23, 2019.
They were originally charged with first-degree murder, but they had been downgraded to manslaughter and kidnapping.
The Crown prosecutor has argued that both accused should receive life sentences for their part in Billette’s murder.
The defence has brought up issues with the victim and community impact statements.
Madame Justice Zerr wanted clarification about the issues in a few of the victim and community impact statements. There were four impact statements that were flagged by the defense as not fitting the ‘community’ standards.
The court was adjourned from 12:30 p.m. and reconvened at 1:45 p.m. for Zerr to review the victim and community impact statements that were identified and see if there needed to be any redactions.
After the break, Zerr addressed the court with the decision on the statements. She decided that Brian Gallegher’s community impact statement doesn’t meet the community provisions and gave it back to the Crown Prosecutor. She accepted the other letters from Chief Norma Catarat, Vice Chief Aly Bear, and Willie Billette’s after recommending some sections be redacted in Billette’s letter.
The court was adjourned at 1:50 pm to make the corrections for the victim impact statements and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. for the readings of the victim and community impact statements.
After the impact statements were read, the court was adjourned, and set the next date of November 4, 2024, for the court to reconvene. At that time, defense will make their arguments for the sentencing. They stated that they will adjourn again after November 4th, and will set a date to announce Zerr’s sentencing decision.
After court, MBC talked with Willie Billette, Sheena’s father.
“I worked hard on my impact statement and put my feelings into it, and they went and redacted most of it,” said Billette. “These experiences are difficult and re-victimizing.”
To date, four people have been charged in connection with the death of Billette.
Two people have received their sentences, Charlie Charles and Tesla Jane McKenzie.
Charlie Charles has been charged with manslaughter and sentenced to 8 years, with time credited.
Tesla Jane McKenzie pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to just over four and a half years, with time credited.
There was a fifth person initially charged, but the charges have been stayed.