A judge reserved his decision whether to grant Gerald Stanley, 54, bail Thursday. He is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of Colten Boushie, who was 22, at his farm on Aug. 9. Stanley wore a dark collared shirt with dark pants during his court appearance.
Judge Neil Gabrielson is expected to issue a written bail decision Friday or the following week.
Hundreds gathered outside North Battleford, Sask., provincial court in support of Boushie on Thursday, as the man accused in his death pleaded not guilty.
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Outside court, people carried signs bearing Boushie’s picture and chanted “Justice for Colten.” Family members stood quietly in front of the main entrance to court.
“It’s hurt us extremely. He had his whole life ahead of him,” said Christine Denny, Boushie’s aunt.
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Boushie, often called “Coco” by friends and family, was in a vehicle that drove onto Stanley’s property in the RM of Glenside.
He and the other occupants were confronted by the property owners who they didn’t know, according to police.
Boushie, from Red Pheasant First Nation, was shot and killed.
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Thursday’s rally was peaceful, with singing and drumming accompanied by brief statements from family.
After the plea was entered, RCMP officers escorted members of the Stanley family to nearby vehicles.
There were brief shouts of “murderer” and profanity as they passed through the crowd.
Many appealed for supporters to stay calm.
“It’s not a rally to send a message of retaliation or anything like that,” said family spokesperson Sheldon Wuttunee.
“It needs to be very clear to the public that it is a family that’s grieving.”
Stanley’s family released the following statement, through his defence lawyer, Scott Spencer: