The legal saga of Gerald Stanley will continue into next month.
A court date was scheduled Monday afternoon in North Battleford for gun-related charges against the Biggar-area farmer. However, his matter was adjourned until April 16.
Stanley is facing two counts of improper storage of a firearm in relation to seven guns found on his property by the RCMP. The Soviet Tokarev hand-gun, which was the gun that fatally shot Colten Boushie in 2016, was not among these seven guns.
Stanley was acquitted in Boushie’s death last month. Many Indigenous leaders pointed to this decision as an example of the injustices Indigenous people face in Canada.
Stanley’s firearms-related matter was discussed in court on Monday afternoon for under a minute. The 56-year-old was not in court and his lawyer scheduled the adjournment over the phone.
The Crown and defence indicated they needed more time to properly address the charges.
Outside the courthouse, a handful of protesters continued to carry signs that read “Justice for Colten.”
(PHOTO: A sombre sight outside a North Battleford courthouse. Photo by Joel Willick)
The number of protesters was certainly less than many of Stanley’s other court matters, however, one constant in the mix was Colten Boushie’s uncle, Alvin Baptiste.
He believes it is important to be at every court date to keep his nephew’s memory alive.
“I will continue to fight against injustice experienced by Indigenous people across Canada,” said Baptiste.
While the former chief of Red Pheasant First Nation is confident that Stanley will be convicted in this matter, he is not confident in the consequences the rural farmer may face.
“Hopefully the law, to the full extent, will charge Gerald Stanley,” he said.
Baptiste believes other charges like illegally pointing a firearm and careless use of a firearm should have been laid in this matter.
“He’s going up against undue storage of a firearm…is that all?” he asked.
Boushie’s uncle also says he wishes Premier Scott Moe would have put more pressure on change for Indigenous people in the wake of this whole situation.
“Instead he chose to go in the other direction and not step on the farmers’ toes . . . . . he’s scared to lose his votes,” he said. “It’s sad that it was a political decision.”
(TOP PHOTO: Gerald Stanley. Photo by Manfred Joehnck.)