Gerald Stanley committed to stand trial in death of Colten Boushie

The man charged with murder in the death of 22-year-old Colten Boushie has been committed to stand trial.

Gerald Stanleyis charged with second-degree murder in theAug. 9, 2016, death of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation, Sask., man in his Biggar farmyard. He has pleaded not guilty.

Following a preliminary hearing, Judge Bruce Bauer decided Thursday in NorthBattlefordprovincial court thattherewasenoughevidenceto send Stanley to trial.

Notrial date has been set.

I'm pretty sure my brother's looking down happy.- WilliamBoushie

The case has drawn national attention to race relations in the province.

According to police,Boushiewas in a car with four other people when he was shot on Stanley's rural property.TheRCMPwas accused of showing bias in its initial media release issued about the shooting. Social media exploded with rumours and posts that wished violence on Boushie's friends and Indigenous people in general.

Recently, the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities voted nearly unanimously to lobby the federal government for more latitude for people to defend themselves and their property. The motion drew condemnation from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and brought out protesters earlier this week in Regina.

After the judge's decision Thursday, Boushie'sfamily and friends filed out of court, many of them chanting "justice for Colten" and "thou shalt not kill."

Boushie'scousin, JadeTootoosis, said the family is pleased the case is reaching the next step.

"I'm pretty sure my brother's looking down happy," added WilliamBoushie.

Stanley's lawyer declined to comment to reporters.

Hearing attracts rally

Earlier Thursday morning, acrowd of nearly 100 people carryingplacards reading "Justice forColten" and "Native Lives Matter!" gathered outside thecourthouse. A drum group and singers flankedTootoosisand Boushie's mother, Debbie Baptiste.

"We lost our Colten," Tootoosis said as Baptiste clutched a photo of her son and looked skyward.

Red Pheasant Chief Clint Wuttunee said there are many good people in rural Saskatchewan, but the case shows how much racism still exists in the province.

• Boushie hate speech investigation reaches Crown prosecutors

"It's very emotional," Wuttunee said.

Stanley and his lawyer, Scott Spencer, walked through the crowd unescorted into the front doors of the courthouse.

In January, Spencer told CBC Radio'sOut in the Open: "From the defence perspective, our biggest concern is that Gerald gets a fair trial."

His statement went on to say that people are makingfalse statements that "risk compromising the legal process."

"I believe that media attention to this matter could compromise Gerald's right to a fair trial and I encourage everyone to reserve judgment until they know the facts so that they can make a fair and intelligent comment."

Boushie updated timeline

7 years ago

Duration 0:37

Colten Boushie timeline now updated with preliminary hearing.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations vice-chief Heather Bear called Spencer's concerns about a fair trial "ridiculous." She said First Nations people have a right to call for justice and to name injustice when they see it.

"We're not going away," Bear told reporters.

North Battleford resident Ken Sanders said he's not sure the truth will ever come out. He said it's unfortunate to see the racial divide in the city appears to be growing.

The contents of preliminary hearings are subject to publication bans.