BONNYVILLE - Dakota Dean Whitstone was released on second-degree murder charges when he was picked up by police for firearms-related offences.
Appearing in the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse on March 3 via CCTV from the Edmonton Remand Centre, the 21-year-old Kehewin man pleaded his case for bail.
Whitstone has been charged with seven counts of failing to comply with a release order or undertaking, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, resisting a peace officer, possession of property obtained by crime, unauthorized possession of a weapon, possession of a firearm, altering or removing a vehicle's identification number, possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, and careless use/storage of a firearm.
St. Paul chief Crown prosecutor Jordan Kerr presented an overview of the events Whitstone has been accused of, starting with a curfew breach on Feb. 18.
According to Kerr, Whitstone had been released on Nov. 1, 2019 on second-degree murder and failing to comply charges on conditions out of Saskatchewan. One of his conditions was to be at his home in Kehewin between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
On Feb. 18, Bonnyville RCMP stopped in to conduct a curfew check and were told by the person who answered the door he wasn't home.
Officers were invited inside to search the residence and couldn't find Whitstone.
Less than 10 days later, on Feb. 24, Whitstone was arrested for failing to comply with his release conditions.
RCMP were asked by Elk Point RCMP on Feb. 29 to be on the lookout for a black Jeep being driven by suspects believed to be armed and involved in a kidnapping.
Police located a vehicle that matched its description and attempted a traffic stop, but the Jeep, which was later determined to have been stolen, fled.
It was found at a Kehewin residence. Officers called out to Whitstone, who was known to stay at the house, and asked him to come outside when a female ran out. Once she was arrested, she told police she was afraid for her safety because Whitstone had threatened to kill her and her brother.
RCMP got permission from the homeowner to enter the property and search the house for the accused, who was found hiding behind the water heater in the furnace room.
He was arrested.
While police were searching the stolen vehicle, they came across a loaded lever-action rifle.
Whitsone told Honourable Judge Kathleen Williams during his appearance in court he never left his home that day and completely denies being involved, stating he was "minding his own business" when the police showed up.
He was seeking release so he can go back to work so he can afford a lawyer to help him fight these charges.
Kerr noted Whitstone's criminal record has five prior failing to attend court convictions, as well as a charge for being unlawfully at large. The accused also has two convictions for breaching a conditional sentence order, 12 failing to comply with release charges, as well as property and drug-related offences.
The Crown wasn't confident Whitstone was suitable for release.
Acting duty counsel Hart Spencer said Whitstone's employed at the Kehewin Water Treatment Plant, and believes the accused could be released on strict conditions.
Williams noted that while there were triable issues relating to the case, she wasn't on board with releasing Whitstone from the Edmonton Remand Centre, especially considering at the time of this incident, he was on release conditions relating to a second-degree murder charge out of Saskatchewan.
"These circumstances are incredibly serious," she said.
Whitstone's next court appearance is March 17.
Meagan MacEachern, Bonnyville Nouvelle
