Searching for the truth in Peguis

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This article was published 12/12/2016 (2893 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

PEGUIS FIRST NATION — Sunlight and frosty air streamed into the entrance of the Peguis First Nation community hall as Vanessa Bushie stepped through the double doors with her winter coat pulled up over her head, signalling the return home of a tragic homicide that has mostly been shrouded in secrecy.

Bushie and her former partner, Daniel Williams, are charged with second-degree murder and manslaughter, respectively, in the death of their 21-month-old daughter Kierra Elektra Star Williams.

The preliminary hearing continued Monday in Peguis First Nation, where the toddler’s parents are accused of killing her in July 2014.

Kierra was in the care of Child and Family Services before she was returned to her parents prior to her death.

Flanked by an RCMP officer, Bushie entered the makeshift courtroom without stopping to look at Williams, who is out on bail and sat with his mother and four family supporters.

They filled only a quarter of the gallery seats, facing a stern-looking image of Santa hung directly behind the witness seat in the festively decorated hall, where a gold glitter proclamation of “Peace on Earth” was in stark contrast to allegations of horrific child abuse and murder on the day’s court docket.

Details of the preliminary hearing, which is being held to determine whether there is enough evidence for a trial, are protected under a publication ban.

The circumstances surrounding Kierra’s death have never been publicly disclosed, so Monday’s hearing was the first opportunity for Peguis residents to hear facts of the case first-hand — a task that appeared to be a low priority for people in the community.

The shock that swelled through the community of about 10,000 after news of Kierra’s death has dissipated in the more than two years since she died. Her name may not be immediately recognizable to many: even in her hometown, memories still need to be refreshed with bits and pieces of the case, the quick hits that have been in the news. But Kierra hasn’t been forgotten here, where mention of the case quickly conjures criticism of the child-welfare system and comparisons to Phoenix Sinclair. Rumours still swirl and families still wait to find out what happened to Kierra, hoping the court process will bring them closer to the truth.

“I hope they get to the bottom of it,” said 49-year-old Bradley Flett outside the post office Monday afternoon.

He stopped by court to find out what was going on, he said, but didn’t stay to listen to what he described as an awful case. With only a couple of weeks before Christmas, it’s particularly bad timing for many people, he said, still, “I’m concerned with what really happened.”

“It’s upsetting. It really bothers us here,” Marilyn Spence, a retired Peguis resident, said of the case.

“The mothers all feel for them (children such as Kierra), but what went on there, we don’t really know.”

Even family members of the accused are waiting to hear the facts of the case. Daniel Williams’ older brother, Alex Williams, said he believes Daniel isn’t to blame, but he couldn’t bear to sit in court and hear how his niece may have suffered.

“It opens wounds again, and I don’t want to hear it,” Alex said, saying Daniel worked hard driving a taxi to earn money for his children.

Alex said he only met Kierra once during her short life. When she died, he said he was shocked. At the time, he was told she choked on a sausage.

“We were all hurt. We all couldn’t believe it. I don’t know what happened. I don’t know why they didn’t take her to the hospital (earlier),” he said.

“In my heart, I know Daniel’s innocent, not only because he’s my brother but because of the affection he had for his children,” Alex added. To get to the truth of the matter, he said, “that would be justice.”

Williams and his mother declined to speak to the Free Press during a break in court. So did Bushie, through her lawyer, Mike Cook.

Cook and Williams’ defence lawyer, Greg Brodsky, agreed it’s important for Peguis residents to see justice being done in their own community.

“This case is important because it shows you how the child-welfare system works, and people can see how it works and doesn’t work,” Brodsky said.

“People here are surprised at the allegations and came to see the truth of it. Whatever the judge decides, they want to be part of it — they’re not just cheerleaders,” he said of the supporters who showed up in court Monday, in spite of the hearing being delayed by nearly two hours because of a mix-up with Bushie’s transportation.

katie.may@freepress.mb.caTwitter: @thatkatiemay