Saskatoon

Man enters plea to lesser charge in death of northern Saskatchewan woman

A man accused of killing a woman and dumping her body on a remote snowmobile trail in northern Saskatchewan has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Monica Burns' body was found northwest of Prince Albert in January 2015

Monica Lee Burns, 28, was from Prince Albert, Sask. On Jan. 17 her body was found about 15 kilometres northwest of the city, on a remote snowmobile trail. (Submitted by Michelle Burns)

A man accused of killing a woman and dumping her body on a remote snowmobile trail in northern Saskatchewan has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Todd Daniel McKeaveney entered the plea this morning during a court appearance in Prince Albert. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of committing an indignity to a human body.

McKeaveney had originally been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Monica Burns, whose body was found northwest of Prince Albert in January 2015.

Todd McKeaveney is led into court while Monica Burns' family watched, their signs in hand. (Ryan Pilon/CBC)

A joint submission from the Crown and defence is calling for a 13-year prison sentence, with three years of credit for time served.

Police have said Burns was a known sex-trade worker from the Sturgeon Lake First Nation, but had been living in Prince Albert.