Inquest into James Smith, Weldon killings to begin Jan. 15 in Melfort

The inquiry into a mass stabbing on the James Smith Cree Nation and the nearby community of Weldon will begin in mid-January.

According to the Ministry of Justice, the public inquest will be held in Melfort from Jan. 15 through Jan. 26, but could run longer if more time is needed.

The inquest – which is to be presided over by coroner Blaine Beaven – will examine the 11 deaths that occurred on Sept. 4, 2022 in order to determine the identity of the victims, when and where they died, and the medical causes and manners of their deaths.

The jury will then have an opportunity to make recommendations in order to prevent similar deaths in the future.

The 10 victims of the mass killing on the James Smith Cree Nation in 2022. The RCMP later revealed that Damien Sanderson, originally a suspect, was also a victim. (RCMP/Submitted)

A separate inquest will be held from Feb. 26 to March 1 in Saskatoon in order to examine the death of Myles Sanderson, the suspect in the killings.

Sanderson went into what police called “medical distress” and died shortly after his arrest, following a massive manhunt that ended in a high-speed chase.

Clive Weighill, Saskatchewan’s chief coroner, said he was hoping the inquests could be held in the spring or summer of 2023, but they had to be delayed in order to allow more time for the RCMP to complete its investigation.