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Man charged with second-degree murder, sexual assault released on bail

A 19-year-old man charged with second-degree murder, sexual assault and aggravated assault was released from custody on bail. Nathan Waditaka was released with conditions after a judicial hearing in Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench May 26.
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A 19-year-old man charged with second-degree murder, sexual assault and aggravated assault was released from custody on bail after a judicial hearing in Prince Albert Court of Queen's Bench May 26.

A 19-year-old man charged with second-degree murder, sexual assault and aggravated assault was released from custody on bail. 

Nathan Waditaka was released with conditions after a judicial hearing in Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench May 26. 

Waditaka is charged in connection to the death of Zellall Highway, 19, as well as assault and sexual assault against a 17-year-old girl.

According to RCMP, they were called to the Wahpeton Dakota Nation Health Centre shortly after midnight on Dec. 26, 2019, after receiving a complaint about a girl who was assaulted. She was taken by ambulance to a Prince Albert hospital for treatment of her injuries. 

Police identified Waditaka as the suspect and arrested him at a nearby residence. Police say that Waditaka sustained injuries during the assault and he was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Prince Albert for treatment. 

At that residence police found Highway suffering from life-threatening injuries. Highway was taken to a local clinic and pronounced deceased by EMS. 

Police say that Waditaka also sustained injuries during the assault and after he was arrested he was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Prince Albert for treatment. 

The Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crime Unit – North, the Saskatchewan Coroners Service and the Saskatchewan RCMP General Investigation Section – Saskatoon assisted with the investigation.

The crown always proceeds by indictable offence for second-degree murder charges. When the crown proceeds by indictable offence, defendants can choose how they want to be tried, including in provincial court by judge alone, in Court of Queen’s Bench by judge alone, or in Court of Queen’s Bench by judge and jury. Waditaka hasn’t elected yet how he wants to be tried. 

Waditaka is now scheduled to appear in Prince Albert Provincial Court on June 18 to speak to the matter.

Waditaka was released on bail with conditions. His conditions include that he isn’t allowed to go to Wahpeton Dakota Nation or Prince Albert. He is required to wear an electronic monitoring ankle bracelet and remain in the house 24-hours a day unless otherwise allowed to leave by his probation officer.

He was ordered to answer the door for police when they conduct checks on him. He was ordered to seek employment or education. He is banned from using any drugs or alcohol and not to have any weapons.

Waditaka is not to contact certain individuals whose names the court banned from publication.

Story updated May 29 8:30 a.m. to add the conditions of Waditaka's release.