THUNDER BAY — A man accused in the 2022 death of a 48-year-old Eabametoong First Nation man has been found unfit to stand trial.
Ethan Waboose, 20, was charged in December 2022 with second-degree murder in connection to the death of Brian Sagutch in Eabametoong First Nation.
Ontario Provincial Police officers were called into the community on Dec. 27, 2022 to assist Nishnawbe Aski Police Service with the death investigation.
Waboose was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. In February 2023, a fitness assessment for Waboose was ordered by the court.
On June 28, 2023, the results of the assessment were presented to the court and it was determined Waboose is unfit to stand trial on the murder charge.
Waboose appeared in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Thursday to determine the next steps in his case. After an individual is found unfit to stand trial, the court could impose a mandatory treatment order, but Waboose has not consented to such an order.
Those deemed unfit will go before the Ontario Review Board, which reviews all cases involving individuals found not criminally responsible or unfit to stand trial.
Waboose also discharged his defence counsel on Thursday. The matter will return to court next week to determine the next steps.
