LLOYDMINSTER – Witnesses for a preliminary hearing of three people accused of robbing a Lloydminster hotel at gunpoint didn’t show in court.
The hearing was scheduled to start in Lloydminster, Sask., court Thursday but didn't proceed after the Crown’s two key civilian witnesses didn’t show.
Rocky Wuttunee, Jade Alexander Whitstone, and Kacey Dillon all appeared in court in person Thursday. They are charged in connection to the robbery at a Lloydminster hotel on March 29, 2021. Police say they fled in one of the victim’s vehicles.
North Battleford Crown prosecutor Loren Klein asked Judge Murray Pelletier for an adjournment to see if the RCMP could “round up” the witnesses.
All three defence lawyers, Aleida Oberholzer, Jared Aumiller, and Harvey Neufeld, consented to a two-week adjournment, at which time the Crown will notify the court whether or not they are proceeding with the charges against Wuttunee, Whitstone, and Dillon. Judge Pelletier adjourned the matter to Feb. 17.
Bail conditions eased
At defence’s request, bail conditions were eased for Wuttunee and Whitstone.
Wuttunee and Whitstone won’t have to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet anymore and their 24-hour curfew has been reduced to 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Dillon’s bail conditions weren’t as tough as her two-accused so no changes were made, the court heard.
Wuttunee is charged with two counts of forcible confinement, robbery, committing an offence while using a firearm, transporting a prohibited or restricted weapon in a careless manner, pointing a firearm at another person, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm, threatening to assault with a weapon, theft of a vehicle, and two counts of failing to appear in court.
Whitstone is charged with two counts of forcible confinement, committing an offence using a firearm, committing an indictable offence while using a firearm, pointing a firearm at another person, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm without a license, threatening to assault with a weapon, two counts of robbery, three counts of theft of a vehicle, mischief, five counts of driving while prohibited, three counts of being at large on a release order, possession of property or proceeds of crime, and obstruction of a peace officer.
Dillon is charged with two counts of forcible confinement, possession of a weapon, assault, and robbery.
The charges against Wuttunee, Whitstone, and Dillon haven’t been proven in court.
