Murder trial begins, nearly 20 years after teens death near Regina Beach

SaskatchewanNearly two decades after Misha Pavelick died, the trial for the man accused of killing him is scheduled to begin Monday. The 36-year-old accused is charged with second-degree murder, but he was 17 at the time, so his identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.Jury to hear 2nd-degree murder trial for man charged in 2006 killing of Misha PavelickAishah Ashraf · CBC News · Posted: Oct 20, 2025 7:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours agoMisha Pavelick, 19, was stabbed to death at a party on May 21, 2006, near Regina Beach. (Submitted by Saskatchewan RCMP)Nearly two decades after Misha Pavelick died, the trial for the man accused of killing him is scheduled to begin Monday in a Regina courtroom. The 36-year-old accused is charged with second-degree murder — but he was 17 at the time, so his identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.The Crown has said it will seek an adult sentence if the accused is found guilty. Pavelick was killed on May 22, 2006, during a high school gathering at a campground near Regina Beach, about 45 kilometres northwest of Regina. What started as a long-weekend celebration ended in tragedy when a fight broke out and Pavelick was fatally stabbed.The case remained unsolved for years. Police interviewed more than 200 witnesses, but were unable to lay charges. In 2021, police said new information prompted them to return to Regina Beach to conduct another evidence search. Two years later, police arrested the accused.He was released while awaiting trial, but he was taken back into custody in October 2024 on new charges for failing to attend court, breaching release conditions and assaulting a peace officer. His bail was revoked and he has remained in custody since.Defence lawyer Andrew Hitchcock said he plans to challenge how the Crown’s case fits together. “We’re going to see if they can prove that it happened the way that they said it happened,” he said. Jury selection on Monday morning is happening at the Delta Hotel, then jurors will begin hearing the case at Regina Court of King’s Bench. The trial is scheduled for four weeks, Hitchcock said.ABOUT THE AUTHORAishah Ashraf is a reporter with CBC Saskatchewan, based in Prince Albert. You can send story ideas and tips to aishah.ashraf@cbc.ca.