Verdict delayed
The fate of a Theodore man accused of aggravated assault resulting in the paralysis of another man will be in the hands of a provincial court judge a little longer.
Judge Patrick Reis was scheduled to render his decision in the case of Kim Madsen, 31, on March 10, but brought the matter forward to March 9 for an adjournment to give himself more time.
The Crown alleges that during a violent unprovoked attack in which Dennis Peepeetch, 42, was repeatedly slammed against the floor at the City Limits Inn in September 2015, his spine was broken and he was left
The defence, represented by David Rusnak argued Peepeetch provoked Madsen by spitting in his face and that his client could not have known the victim suffered from a pre-existing spinal condition.
A new date of March 20 has been set for the decision. Rusnak informed the Court if the verdict came back guilty he would be seeking a pre-sentence report.
If so, sentencing will likely be delayed late May or early June.
Psych assessment order
A 25-year-old Yorkton man has been remanded to North Battleford for a psychiatric assessment following an incident at Parkland College March 6.
Stephan Protz is accused of making inappropriate comments to a woman at the college and is charged with uttering threats, criminal harrassment, mischief, and possession of a controlled substance.
His next court appearance is scheduled for April 6.
Bail sought
A Yorkton man accused of four counts of cocaine trafficking has been remanded pending a bail hearing March 16.
Matthew Paris, 23, was arrested following execution by police of search warrants on two homes in the city.
Guilty to lesser included
A 22-year-old Yorkton man charged with robbery with violence and mischief will serve a conditional sentence after pleading guilty to a lesser included offence of common assault.
On March 9 the Court heard that Nathan Smith was one of three men who ambushed, attacked and robbed another man outside a Yorkton home on September 20, 2015.
The victim suffered several injuries and had his jacket and cell phone stolen. In a joint submission, the prosecutor presented the injuries as aggravating, but he acknowledged Smith had lesser responsibility for the beating than the other two men, including his brother Kyle, who has already pleaded guilty and is currently in prison and that and other charges.
Other mitigating factors included a lack of adult criminal record, good behaviour since being released on electronic monitoring, remorse and guilty plea.
Judge Patrick Reis accepted the recommendation of three months conditional sentence followed by 12 months probation.
Smith will be subject to strict conditions including living at an approved address, observing a curfew from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., participating in assessment and treatment for addictions, having no contact with the victim and writing an apology.
He is also subject to a DNA order and five-year firearms prohibition.
