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Charges stayed for two suspects in violent assault in North Battleford

Apr 4, 2018 | 4:38 PM

The family of a Mosquito First Nation man who was the victim of a vicious assault off 14 Avenue in North Battleford early Monday morning are upset after finding out the charges against the two accused were stayed.

The Crown prosecutor confirmed charges of aggravated assault against James Graham, 27, and Dallas White, 37, were stayed Tuesday afternoon. No further information was provided.

“In this instance upon review by the Crown, they didn’t feel there was a reasonable likelihood of a conviction on this matter, so the charge was stayed,” Battleford’s RCMP Staff Sgt. Darcy Woolfitt said.

“That doesn’t mean that it’s over,” he added. “That means we have 12 months and if further evidence comes forward or a witness comes forward to provide further evidence as to what took place and identify the persons or person who committed this offence we can move forward with the charges and the charges will be brought back to court.”

Woolfitt added it is still an active investigation.

Natasha Starchief, the sister of the victim Nigel Starchief, said she was upset after hearing the charges were stayed.

“We’re just angry right now,” she said. “My mother just broke down crying. I just want justice done. I’m very frustrated about this. It’s not right.”

Natasha previously said her brother’s brain was swollen and bleeding as a result of the head injuries he sustained in the incident.

“Nigel can’t remember what happened,” she said, adding that her brother suffered two brain bleeds as a result of the alleged assault.

She said Nigel is still in hospital in Saskatoon in the neurology unit receiving treatment. It isn’t known when or whether he’ll get better.

“His mobility isn’t good,” she said. “He falls over when he tries to stand and walk. They don’t know how his prognosis is going to be.”

She said she believes a woman may have known what happened but is afraid to speak to police because she is concerned about possible gang affiliations.

Natasha said the individual who found her brother bleeding from his injuries in an alleyway near 14 Avenue and 100 Street early Monday morning noted there was a blood trail from where her brother was found to a nearby apartment.

“She sent me a picture of how she found him,” Natasha said.

Nigel’s brother Ivan Vincent said he visited the victim Tuesday night at the hospital.

“The nurse told me that his mobility is in question right now,” Vincent said, adding Nigel might need therapy to help him walk again. 

Vincent has also noticed that Nigel has a slur in his speech now.

“That bothers me quite a bit because he never had that,” Vincent said. “He never spoke like that before.”

Vincent said the medical team helping Nigel are continuing to conduct more tests.

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

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