Jury trial set for man accused in 2023 death

A jury trial has been set for next April at Saskatoon Court of King's Bench in connection with the city's first homicide of 2023.

Nader Afzal Butter, 45, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Steffen Pohl.

Pohl, 35, was found dead in a home in the 1200 block of Idylwyld Drive North, on the edge of the city's Mayfair neighbourhood, around 7:20 a.m. on Jan. 30, 2023.

Police initially described his death as “suspicious” before deeming it a homicide.

In a news release, police said two other men who were in the home, a 28-year-old man and Butter, were taken into custody.

Butter was committed to stand trial after a preliminary hearing was held in Saskatoon provincial court in November 2023. Preliminary hearings determine whether there is sufficient evidence for a case to go to trial. A publication ban prevents the reporting of evidence heard at the hearing to preserve trial fairness.

CITY'S 2023 HOMICIDES

Ten subsequent homicides were recorded in Saskatoon last year.

2. Jessica Caron, 44, was killed on Feb. 1. Derek Thomas Caron is charged with second-degree murder.

3. Angose Standingwater, 30, was killed on May 20, 2023. Ashton Lee Wolfe is charged with first-degree murder.

4. David Dustyhorn, 33, was killed on May 29. Jayleen Eliza Ann Missens is charged with manslaughter.

5. Theresa Taysup, 35, was killed on June 10. Jayden Faith Morin and Tanya Faye Desjarlais are charged with manslaughter; Telsa Jade Morin and Linda Florence Gladys Mentuck (Sutherland) are charged with second-degree murder.

6. Damien Sanderson, 35, was killed on June 14. Shane Thomas is charged with second-degree murder.

7. Tanice Roberts-knorr, 63, was killed on July 20. Vernon Blaine Knorr is charged with second-degree murder.

8. Melissa Bear, 33, was killed on Aug. 29. Cary Daniel Bluebell is charged with second-degree murder.

9. Ryan Taysup, 38, was killed on Oct. 7. No charges have been laid.

10. Warren Pegg, 36, was killed on Dec. 2. Eugene Noah Caisse is charged with second-degree murder.

11. A 33-year-old unidentified man was killed on Dec. 14. No charges have been laid in the case.