After more than a decade of waiting and wondering, light may finally be shed upon what happened to Alexander Ronald Sanderson.

His body was found in a ditch approximately 2.5 miles south of the Mistawasis First Nation on Apr.18 2001.

Curtis Nataucappo has been charged in the crime and his trial began Tuesday afternoon at the Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench. He had originally been charged with second degree murder but that has been downgraded to manslaughter.

The morning session was spent on jury selection, with the trial beginning at 2 p.m. There were three witnesses called to the stand, including RCMP Sgt. Shawn Carter, who was the first officer on the scene.

Carter testified that he was the first to arrive and was the officer who located the body of Sanderson. He told the jury that he checked for a pulse but found nothing. Then he secured the scene until more help arrived.

Upon cross examination by defence council Greg Chovin, Carter later admitted that he was unsure whether some witness statements were ever followed up on, including those made by family members of Sanderson who said they knew of someone that had been bragging about the murder at a party.

The whereabouts and involvement of Dwayne Badger were also brought up throughout the first day of the trial. Badger died in Sept. 2006.

The two-week trial continues today at 10 a.m.

rhaagen@panow.com