A judge has ruled that former Oromocto First Nation chief Shelley Sabattis and eight co-accused will stand trial on charges of assault and breaking and entering.
Judge Natalie LeBlanc told a Fredericton courtroom Tuesday that there was “clear and compelling evidence” that all nine individuals acted “in concert towards a common goal.”
Nine people are accused of assault and breaking and entering into the home of Anthony O’Blenis and Sonya Atwin in Welamukotuk, also known as Oromocto First Nation. Sabattis was chief at the time of the alleged incident.
Sabattis’s son Allan Sabattis-Atwin, who is a former councillor in the community, is also one of the accused.
All of the accused appeared in court on Tuesday and were represented by lawyers Sabrina Winters and Mathieu Boutet.
LeBlanc’s decision comes after a preliminary hearing that was held last month in which the Crown presented evidence. All evidence heard at that hearing is protected under a publication ban to prevent influencing future jurors.
The defence said the evidence is insufficient to warrant a trial.
LeBlanc, however, said the court “heard uncontested evidence.”
“This court has no other choice but to conclude that all nine people are parties to both sets of offences,” LeBlanc said before announcing her decision to send the case to trial.
“There is clear and compelling evidence that the parties were acting in concert towards a common goal.”
The trial date has not yet been set.
