The trial for a man accused of second-degree murder in a 2023 homicide commenced on Monday with testimony from two individuals who claimed to have witnessed the shooting. Jeremy John Blacksmith, aged 43, has entered a plea of not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, and failure to comply with a release order in connection to the August 5, 2023, killing of Blaze Tacan at Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.
Police from Virden responded to a shooting incident at Sioux Valley on that day following reports of gunfire. Tacan was transported to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries later. A juvenile, aged 17 at the time, was also taken into custody in connection with the incident.
During the initial day of the trial at the Court of King’s Bench in Brandon, Francine Mazawasicuna, aged 43, emotionally recounted to the court how she and her siblings witnessed Blacksmith shooting Tacan during a dispute by the roadside. She informed the court that Blacksmith seemed to be carrying a firearm when he arrived at the scene.
Francine testified that Tacan was unarmed at the time of the shooting and described how he fell to the ground immediately after Blacksmith discharged the weapon. She indicated that the entire event transpired in under 15 minutes. She also pointed out specific details of the incident on an aerial map during her testimony.
In subsequent questioning by the defense, it was raised whether the firearm could have been passed to Blacksmith by the juvenile suspect and if Francine had seen the precise moment the gun was fired. She affirmed that Blacksmith aimed the gun at Tacan before pulling the trigger, recalling Tacan’s defiant remarks before the shooting.
Another witness, John Mazawasicuna, aged 37 and Francine’s brother, testified that he observed the escalating confrontation between Tacan and the juvenile, culminating in Blacksmith arriving and shooting Tacan. He also mentioned seeing Blacksmith standing over Tacan’s body after the shooting.
During cross-examination, the defense challenged John’s account and inquired about potential alcohol involvement, which John denied. He reiterated his assertion that Blacksmith had fired the weapon and stated he had previously seen Blacksmith with a firearm. The trial is anticipated to span approximately 10 days.