Mike on Crime

By Mike McIntyre
Winnipeg Free Press

WINNIPEG — Police and justice officials believe a 15-year-old boy was set up to be the victim of a deadly plot following a dis­pute over an unpaid drug debt, the Free Press has learned.

New details emerged Tuesday in the death of Seth Ottenbreit. The West St. Paul resident suffered a single stab wound to the chest on Sunday after­noon.

A 16-year-old boy has been charged with first-degree murder. He can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Jus­tice Act.

Sources told the Free Press Otten­breit had been trying to collect money from a friend related to a previous drug transaction. Ottenbreit allegedly went to the youth’s newly built two-storey home in West St. Paul a few hours be­fore the killing. He spoke with his friend’s younger brother, who was the only person home at the time.

Sources said Ottenbreit left without incident. He was allegedly called later in the day and asked to return to the home. Ottenbreit brought a teen friend with him. The boy is now being treated as a witness to the fatal stabbing.

Neighbours on the quiet residential street say it was Ottenbreit’s friend who came running from the home around 4:30 p.m. and alerted residents who were walking their dog. Several people rushed into the house to find Ottenbreit losing his fight for life.

The accused killer was described by a neighbour as “very calm” and stood by quietly as neighbours tried to resuscitate Ottenbreit. Among those neighbours who rushed in to help was a nurse who also lives on the street.

The first-degree murder charge is the most serious in the Criminal Code and indicates the killing was allegedly premeditated. Sources say justice offi­cials will attempt to prove a plan was hatched to kill Ottenbreit in the time that lapsed between his first and last visits to the home on Sunday.

None of the allegations has been proven and the accused is presumed in­nocent. Both he and Ottenbreit have no prior criminal involvement, according to sources.

The accused made his first appear­ance in youth court Tuesday afternoon and the case was remanded to Oct. 30. Defence lawyer Greg Brodsky said he had been retained by the boy’s parents. He told court he would not be making a bail application and would not make one when he returns to court in a month’s time.

“It’s a significant charge and a ser­ious case,” Brodsky said in the parking lot of the Manitoba Youth Centre. “I’ll need time to prepare.”

The accused’s parents were in the courtroom but they refused repeated requests to comment as they walked across the centre parking lot and to their vehicle. The fair-haired boy was casually dressed and showed no emo­tion during the brief proceedings. He is tall and appeared slightly built under­neath a baggy shirt and pants. He said nothing during the session and looked directly at the judge or Brodsky when they spoke.

Ottenbreit was a Grade 10 student at West Kildonan Collegiate. Dozens of classmates and friends have made posts on a Facebook memorial page, with several including references to drug activity.

“Rip Seth this shouldnt have hap­pened and im sorry it did. miss you bud. ima get high just once more for you! i bet god has some deadly bongs up there for you to try out!,” wrote one student.

Said another: “I hope god grows some killer weed for you man lol your higher then all the rest of us now… r.i.p.”

Psychologists, social workers and counsellors were in the school this week to talk to students, especially those the principal and staff had identified as members of the friendship circle of either or both boys.

According to the Facebook site, Ot­tenbreit’s funeral will take place Friday at 1 p.m. at Wheelers Funeral Home on Regent Avenue. The viewing will be held Thursday at 7 p.m.