LA RONGE - A preliminary hearing for four people accused of killing a substitute teacher in La Ronge ran from Aug. 16 to 19 and has been adjourned to continue in October.
Charlie Napthalie Charles, 25, Deborah Maggie McKenzie, 30, Telsa Jane McKenzie, 25, and Sharise Justice Sutherland-Kayseas, 25, are all charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and forcible confinement in the death of Sheena Marie Billette, 28. A fifth person, Kandi Rose Ratt, 27, was charged with accessory after the fact to murder.
The hearing was first scheduled to start in La Ronge Provincial Court on Jan. 25, 2021, but was rescheduled to April 19, 2021, and then rescheduled to August. Saskatchewan’s provincial courts had suspended most trials, preliminary inquiries, and in-person hearings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A passing motorist found Billette’s body on Hwy 102 seven kilometres north of La Ronge at about 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 23, 2019.
The investigation into Billette's murder involved several police forces including Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Unit Â鶹´«Ã½AV, La Ronge and Prince Albert General Investigation Sections, the Prince Albert and Tisdale Forensic Identification Sections, and the Prince Albert Police.
A GoFundMe page has been set for Sheena Billette's husband. The page is called, “Help us raise funds for widowed father of 4.” The link is at
“As you can imagine, Jarvis is absolutely devastated and completely traumatized by the fact that Sheena’s life was tragically taken away by such a senseless act of violence,” said Jasmine Slinn on the GoFundMe page.
“Sheena was a loving and caring mom to her children. She would do anything to protect and provide for them, and her loss will have a significant impact on their children’s lives forever. Jarvis and the children will need all the support that we can give during this extremely difficult time.”
In January 2020, Bilette’s family told CTV News that Billette didn’t know any of those accused of killing her and she was “at the wrong place, wrong time.” They also said Billette was a substitute elementary teacher in La Ronge and left behind four children.
La Ronge is about 213 kilometres north of Prince Albert.
