James Stonechild has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2024 murder of his common-law partner, 32-year-old Amanda Keewatin. The 40-year-old from Okanese First Nation received his sentence at Regina’s Court of King’s Bench on Wednesday. Stonechild previously pled guilty to a single count of second-degree murder in August. Justice Catherine Dawson accepted a joint submission that will see Stonechild serve 10 years in prison before being eligible for parole. Stonechild is prohibited from contacting members of Keewatin’s family during his time in prison and must also provide a DNA sample for forensic purposes. Additionally, he is subject to a lifetime ban from owning firearms. Keewatin, who was from Peepeekisis Cree Nation, died in the early morning hours of Sept. 24, 2024. File Hills Police responded to Stonechild’s home on Okanese First Nation at around 4:40 a.m. after he called emergency services and told them that Keewatin was badly hurt. Keewatin’s cause of death was eventually found to be multiple stab wounds. The officer who arrived at the scene asked Stonechild where Keewatin was – to which he replied: “She’s gone, and I guess you need to take me in for murder.” The court heard that Stonechild asked police to make sure the couple’s two children didn’t see their mother’s body. A publication ban is currently in place to protect the identities of the children. The victim’s friends and family were present for Stonechild’s guilty plea in August – and provided victim impact statements.
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