Albert Patrick Bellegarde, 29, and Gilbert Allan Bellegarde, 31, said nothing as their cases were put over until later this month. The two are charged with first-degree murder in the death of Amber Redman, who was reported missing by her family nearly three years ago.
From her seat in the front row of the public gallery, Redman's mother, Gwenda Yuzicappi, never took her eyes off the Bellegardes as they were led to the glassed-in prisoner's box by guards and then taken right back out.
Yuzicappi, who wore a shirt with her daughter's picture on it, left court without speaking to the media.
On Monday, police found what they believe are Redman's remains in a ditch on the Little Black Bear reserve, about 100 kilometres northeast of Regina.
The young woman was last seen outside a bar in nearby Fort Qu'Appelle on July 15, 2007. Investigators have said they have no information to suggest Redman knew either of the men.
The accused are both from the Little Black Bear First Nation, but police refused to say whether the two are related. Bellegarde is a very common name among band members.
RCMP remained on the reserve Wednesday looking for clues in the ditch where the remains were found and also at a home about five kilometres away. A neighbour said the house belonged to Gilbert Bellegarde.
This is not the first run-in Albert Bellegarde has had with the law. Court records show that in July 1999 he was charged with sexually assaulting a woman. Media reports of court proceedings at the time said he slapped, raped and sodomized a woman with whom he had been drinking.
After he pleaded guilty to the charge, he participated in a traditional sentencing circle in which an offender, victim and community members are brought together to recommend a sentence. But before a judge could return with a sentencing decision on the sexual assault, Albert Bellegarde was in trouble again.
Court records show that in May 2000, he was charged with firing a shotgun into a house while trying to steal a car. Pellets from the shotgun blast hit a woman in the face. He was originally charged with attempted murder, but eventually pleaded guilty to criminal negligence causing bodily harm.
Albert Bellegarde cried at his sentencing in November 2000 and told the judge that he would not have done such things had he not been under the influence of drugs and alcohol, the media reported.
A letter in court files from the Little Black Bear band says Bellegarde worked for the band from January 1999 until his arrest on the sexual assault charge. He was a public works assistant and a driver for a student education program.
During his time of employment, Albert has shown that he is responsible and dependable and committed to providing a better future for himself and his family, the letter reads.
He was given a four-year sentence on all of the charges.
Albert Bellegarde is to appear again on the murder charge May 12 in Fort Qu'Appelle, while Gilbert Bellegarde is to appear again on May 23 in Regina.
