Premier, RCMP call for respectful behaviour as Gerald Stanley trial nears end

The RCMP is reminding the public they can be held accountable for their comments on the trial of Gerald Stanley, who is accused of the second-degree murder of Colten Boushie.

• Full coverage of the Gerald Stanley trial

As well as calling for peaceful and civil behaviour, the RCMP also cautioned that written and verbal comments could be investigated.

"The RCMP is once again reminding people that they can and will be held responsible for their communications, both in-person and online, and police will investigate any complaints of suspected criminal behaviour," it said in a statement released Thursday.

In late January, the RCMP said it had investigated a "number of instances of potential hate crimes" over the past 18 months. Most of them dealt with online content. No criminal charges have been laid.

Premier says be 'responsible'

Speaking at a meeting of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, Premier Scott Moe said this week the public should remember that Saskatchewan is strongest when communities work together.

"We can expect a verdict any day now and I know that no matter what that verdict turns out to be, there may be some strong reactions," said Moe.

"And while that is expected, and everyone is entitled to express their opinion in our great nation, I want to urge everyone in our province to be very measured in their reaction and let us all rememberour personal responsibility for our thoughts, for our actions and for our comments and those include our comments on social media."

Chief Clinton Wuttunee from the Red Pheasant First Nation, where Boushie was from, also issued a statement saying the situation is "very difficult."

On Friday, the City of Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Tribal Council released a joint statement calling for people to remember that a life had been lost.

Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand and Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark said reconciliation has to start atthe community level.

"As we await the verdict and wonder what impact this could have on our province, and more importantly, our relations with each other, we must continue to work with each other in a good way, in a respectful way," the statement said.

The killing of Boushie"cracked open the racial undercurrent" in the province, they said, and it could potentially contribute to further division.

"We cannot build our future with hateful dialogue and divisiveness."

Jury charged Thursday

Red Pheasant's Wuttuneesaid he is anxiously awaiting the verdict.

"The young people in the car with Colten Boushie have been traumatized beyond belief," said Wuttunee.

"The untimely death of yet another First Nations youth has had a far-reaching impact on the people of Red Pheasant First Nation and in the First Nations community throughout the province."

Chief Justice Martel Popescul is givinghis final instructions or "charge" to the jury Thursdayafternoon. The jury is expected to be sequestered and begin deliberating shortly afterward.