Two Keeseekoose First Nations sisters will have to wait a little longer on their bail application, as Federal Justice Minister David Lametti reviews their 1994 second-degree murder convictions.
Odelia and Nerissa Quewezance will have to wait until late March for a decision on whether they will be granted bail.
Late Thursday, Justice Donald Layh announced he would delay his ruling until after the federal Justice Minister completes his review of their 1994 murder conviction. “I think [Justice Layh] he is making a careful decision. He knows its complicated, and he doesn’t want to make a mistake,” said Congress of Aboriginal People’s Vice Chief Kim Beaudin.
Beaudin has long advocated for the sisters, saying the two are innocent of murdering Kamsack-area farmer Joseph Dolf in 1993.
While the sister’s maintain they didn’t commit the crime, another person has taken full responsibility. They were there the night Dolf was killed.
The sisters appealed to Lametti to review their convictions. Earlier this month, Lametti introduced legislation in the House of Commons to make it easier for people, who believe they were wrongfully convicted, to have their case reviewed. The Bill would create an independent commission that would examine cases and decide which ones should be sent back to the justice system.
Beaudin said he thought Odelia at least would be granted bail, adding she is disappointed in the delay. He explained that a release plan for the sisters has been developed, which he believes will satisfy the court. The Crown and provincial government are opposed to the Quewezance being released.