A man, Jared Smith from Burton, has changed his plea from second-degree murder to manslaughter in connection with the death of Sheri Lynn Sabattis, a 54-year-old member of the Wolastoqey community, also known as Welamukotuk. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced this development on Thursday.
The RCMP did not elaborate on the reason for the reduced charge against Smith, who was initially facing second-degree murder charges in 2024 following Sabattis’s homicide. Sabattis was discovered deceased in a residence within the Wolastoqey community on April 27, 2024, leading to Smith’s arrest on the same day.
During a tele-remand appearance at Burton Court, Smith entered a guilty plea to manslaughter. He is currently in custody awaiting his next court hearing scheduled for Nov. 9, as opposed to the previously planned trial for second-degree murder set to commence next month.