The trial for a man accused of second-degree murder in a 2023 fatal shooting commenced on Monday with testimony from two witnesses who claimed to have seen him shoot the victim. Jeremy John Blacksmith, aged 43, has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, possession of a prohibited weapon, and failure to comply with a court order following the death of Blaze Tacan on Sioux Valley Dakota Nation on August 5, 2023.
Following reports of a shooting, Virden RCMP responded to Sioux Valley where Tacan was subsequently transported to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries. A 17-year-old individual, who remains anonymous due to legal restrictions, was also arrested in connection with the incident.
During the trial at the Court of King’s Bench in Brandon, Francine Mazawasicuna, 43, emotionally recounted witnessing Blacksmith shooting Tacan during a confrontation at the side of the road. She detailed how Blacksmith was summoned by the accused youth after a dispute with Tacan, noting the presence of a firearm with Blacksmith.
Francine described the moment when Blacksmith discharged the weapon, causing Tacan to fall to the ground fatally injured. She indicated that Tacan was unarmed during the altercation and emphasized the swift nature of the event, taking less than 15 minutes to unfold. Francine, using an aerial map as reference, demonstrated the sequence of events, including Blacksmith’s actions with the gun.
Later, under questioning, Francine confirmed that a photograph of a firearm presented in court resembled the one she saw Blacksmith carrying. During cross-examination, defense counsel raised doubts about the sequence of events and the possibility of the gun being handed to Blacksmith by the accused youth.
John Mazawasicuna, 37, the second witness and brother of Francine, testified to observing the escalating argument between Tacan and the accused youth before Blacksmith’s arrival. He recounted seeing Blacksmith produce an object and shoot Tacan, mentioning the difficulty in discerning the exact nature of the object. John recalled hearing Tacan’s reaction to the sight of the gun before the fatal shot was fired.
John also described how Blacksmith approached Tacan’s body after the shooting and stood over him briefly before walking away. Under scrutiny during cross-examination regarding inconsistencies in his testimony, John clarified that his family had not been drinking on the day of the incident and reiterated his account of Blacksmith’s actions.
The trial is anticipated to span approximately 10 days as further evidence and testimonies are presented.
