La Loche shooter transferred to adult jail

The man who terrorized the community of La Loche two years ago is being moved to an adult jail as he awaits his sentencing.

Judge Janet McIvor held a conference call with lawyers in the case on Friday to discuss the 20-year-old’s placement and to arrange a final sentencing date.

Defence lawyer Aaron Fox said his client was prepared to move out of Kilburn Hall, a youth detention facility in Saskatoon, and into an adult facility to prepare for his life sentence.

McIvor ordered for the shooter to be moved to Prince Albert’s provincial correctional centre as he awaits a final order.

In February, the judge announced the shooter, who was weeks from his 18th birthday at the time of the rampage, would be sentenced as an adult.

However, she hasn’t officially rendered the sentence.

The shooter pleaded guilty to two counts of first degree murder, two counts of second degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder as a result of the Jan. 22, 2016 massacre.

Two brothers, Dayne and Drayden Fontaine, were killed in their home before the shooter moved on to the Dene High School building where teacher Adam Wood and aide Marie Janvier were shot dead.

Defence lawyer Aaron Fox is asking McIvor to recommend the shooter be placed in the province’s Regional Psychiatric Centre, even though Correctional Service Canada will have the final say.

The offender’s identity is still protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act unless the judge lifts a publication ban on his name.

He will appear in person at Meadow Lake’s courthouse on May 8 for final sentencing.
 
–With files from Meadow Lake NOW’s Kathy Gallant.