Robert Blacksmith will stand trial for the death of his foster son, 13-month-old Cam Ouskan of Gillam, facing a charge of second-degree murder more than two years after the incident.
Robert Blacksmith will stand trial for the death of his foster son, 13-month-old Cam Ouskan of Gillam, facing a charge of second-degree murder more than two years after the incident.
Ouskan was taken to Gillam Hospital in life-threatening condition on Nov. 12, and was set to be transferred to Thompson General Hospital. However, the transfer to Thompson was delayed after the Calm Air plane sent to Gillam on a medevac mission wasn't able to land due to runway lights failing at the Gillam Airport, as a result of which the pilot aborted the landing out of safety concerns. Local fire crews, police officers, and rangers had lined up at the runway with quads, snowmobiles, and both personal and emergency vehicles in an attempt to sufficiently light the runway.
Because the plane couldn't land, Ouskan was instead transported to Thompson General Hospital by land ambulance, a 280-kilometre trip over mainly bumpy gravel road. Ouskan died in Thompson, an an autopsy determined the cause of death to be homicide.
Through an investigation conducted by RCMP from Thompson and Winnipeg, Blacksmith was arrested near Cross Lake and charged. Now 32 years old, Provincial Court Judge Shauna Hewitt-Michta determined at the preliminary hearing that there was enough evidence against Blacksmith to proceed to a trial.
Blacksmith's next court appearance will be April 11 in Thompson, where a trial date will be set.
