Warning: The following article includes explicit details regarding life-saving actions.
In a Regina court, four witnesses testified on the second day of the trial of an individual facing second-degree murder charges related to the 2006 death of Misha Pavelick. Among them was a man who claimed to have brought a weapon to a party on the night Pavelick was killed.
A current 36-year-old individual has entered a not guilty plea for the second-degree murder charge in connection to Pavelick’s death, with his identity safeguarded by the Youth Criminal Justice Act due to being 17 at the time of the incident.
Crown attorney Adam Breker informed the jury at the Regina Court of King’s Bench, presided over by Justice Catherine Dawson, that witnesses would disclose the presence of two knives brought by an “uninvited group” to the graduation party.
During the trial, a man testified that he possessed one of the knives mentioned.
Recounting the events of the fatal night, Dustin Scudder detailed driving to the Kinookimaw campground near Regina Beach with a group of individuals, including the accused, in two separate vehicles. He mentioned having a folding knife in his possession, which he discarded before heading to the campfire. Scudder also noted that his roommate, Kyle Edwards, had a knife, but he was uncertain if it was carried into the campground.
Following their arrival, Scudder observed an altercation between Andrew Perkins and Pavelick, supposedly regarding a girl. He intervened to prevent a physical confrontation but later witnessed Pavelick assaulting Perkins. This incident escalated into a larger scuffle among the friends of the two individuals.
Although Scudder did not partake in the altercation or witness any weapons, he mentioned being preoccupied with a separate argument at the time.
After the commotion, Scudder departed with the same group, which included the accused, heading back to Regina Beach.
When questioned by the prosecutor, Scudder denied any discussions about weapons, including Edwards’ knife, during their time at Regina Beach.
Regarding the fate of his knife by the night’s end, Scudder admitted his lack of knowledge and confirmed the identification of his yellow folding knife from a photo shown by the Crown.
Notably, the photo revealed the absence of the accused’s DNA on the knife but indicated the presence of DNA from Derek Enns and Scott Nelson, the latter having pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in the same incident.
Under cross-examination by defense attorney Andrew Hitchcock, Scudder acknowledged uncertainty regarding the whereabouts of his knife after he discarded it, expressing no specific knowledge of Nelson’s possession.
Learning of Pavelick’s demise later that night from a friend, Scudder initially doubted the veracity of the information.
‘Screaming and running’: Friend of Pavelick
Providing emotional testimony, Kyle Friday recounted the arrival of two cars at the campground’s entrance during the May-long weekend, reminiscing about his final interactions with Pavelick, a close friend who had assisted him in securing his first job at 15 years old.
Friday, involved in organizing the Miller High School graduation celebration that year, recounted interactions with a group of unknown individuals who forcefully entered the campground without permission.
The situation quickly escalated, leading to chaotic scenes and reports of a stabbing that prompted Friday to rush to the main fire where he found Pavelick critically injured.
Describing the distressing scene with classmates attending to Pavelick, Friday expressed his shock and grief over the tragic turn of events.
Upon returning to the entrance in search of answers, Friday claimed to have encountered a stranger, one of the earlier unruly group, cleaning a knife, a detail he allegedly omitted from his initial 2006 statement to the police, as challenged by the defense.
‘Had no idea what had transpired’: police
Testifying about the response to the incident, RCMP Cpl. Sheri-Lynne Fedorowich disclosed the lack of prior awareness among law enforcement regarding the graduation celebration happening that weekend.
Fedorowich recounted the night’s events, including the call reporting a stabbing and the subsequent discovery of Derek Enns wounded at a vehicle near the campground entrance.
Upon entering the campground, Fedorowich encountered a chaotic scene with intoxicated youths leading them to Pavelick, who lay severely injured by a bonfire surrounded by distressed peers.
Despite efforts to revive Pavelick, the severity of his injuries became apparent, leading to his tragic demise at