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Justice Minister Orders New Appeal for Quewezance Sisters
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New Appeal Ordered for Quewezance Sisters
Federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser announced that the case of Odelia and Nerissa Quewezance will be sent back to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal. The review identified new information that was not before the courts during the original trial or the earlier appeal.
Background and Prior Conviction
The Quewezance sisters, members of the Keeseekoose First Nation, were convicted in 1994 of second-degree murder for the 1993 stabbing death of 70-year-old farmer Anthony Joseph Dolff near Kamsack, Saskatchewan. At the time of arrest, Odelia was 21 and Nerissa 18; they are now 55 and 52, respectively. A 15-year-old cousin later confessed to the killing, and the sisters have long maintained their innocence. Their case was taken up by Innocence Canada, a nonprofit that seeks exonerations, after advocacy from David Milgaard.
Official Statements & Responses
He said the appeal will allow the courts to consider the newly discovered evidence. Odelia expressed optimism, stating that the announcement is “encouraging” and that the sisters will continue their fight in the appellate court.
Verbatim Quotes
- “My decision does not decide guilt or innocence, as that will rest with the courts,” — Sean Fraser, federal justice minister
- “Neressa was 18 when she was arrested and is now 52. I was 21 and am now 55. But we have never stopped fighting,” — Odelia
Implications
If the appeal overturns the convictions, it could prompt broader reviews of Indigenous defendants’ cases and reinforce mechanisms for correcting possible wrongful convictions in Canada’s justice system.