The Justice Minister has initiated a new appeal in the case of two sisters who were found guilty of murder over three decades ago. This decision comes after an extensive review by the ministry lasting more than four years, revealing grounds to suggest a potential miscarriage of justice.
Odelia and Neressa Quewezance, hailing from Keeseekoose First Nation in Saskatchewan, were convicted in 1994 of second-degree murder in the death of Anthony Joseph Dolff, a farmer from Kamsack, Sask. Justice Minister Sean Fraser emphasized that the appeal does not determine guilt or innocence, leaving that decision to the courts.
The government disclosed that new information, not presented during the sisters’ trial or appeal, prompted this course of action to ensure the integrity of the justice system. Odelia Quewezance expressed gratitude for the ongoing support and declared their determination to continue the legal battle in the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal.
The tragic event unfolded on February 25, 1993, when Dolff invited the Indigenous sisters and their teenage cousin to his residence in Kamsack, Sask. Both sisters, survivors of institutionalized violence at residential schools, were implicated in Dolff’s demise. While the cousin confessed to the stabbing, Odelia and Neressa were also charged and ultimately convicted of second-degree murder.
Innocence Canada, a non-profit organization spearheaded by David Milgaard, intervened on behalf of the Quewezance sisters, filing an application in December 2021 for a review by the justice minister. Notably, the new evidence to be presented on appeal pertains to the questionable circumstances surrounding the sisters’ confessions, challenging their validity.
Deanna Harris from Saskatchewan Legal Aid highlighted the evolving understanding of Indigenous treatment within the criminal justice system over the past three decades. She underscored the importance of rectifying the miscarriage of justice in the Quewezance case, emphasizing the potential for corrective action at this juncture.
The Justice Minister’s decision necessitates a reevaluation of the case by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, with upcoming hearings to address the appeal. Pending further proceedings, a bail application is expected to be submitted by the Quewezance sisters’ legal counsel, James Lockyer. Despite their conditional release earlier this year, challenges have persisted for the sisters as they strive to reintegrate into society after enduring lengthy incarceration.