Judge reserves decision in sentencing for death of Raven Crate
Posted November 6, 2025 6:22 pm.
A judge has reserved his decision in the sentencing of Derek Bruce Forbister, the man charged in the death of 23-year-old Raven Crate of Norway House Cree Nation last November.
Crate was pregnant at the time of her death.
After the sentencing hearing on Thursday, Crate’s family, along with members of Norway House Cree Nation, delivered impact statements during a press conference, pleading for the maximum sentence.
“Although the sentence will not bring back our granddaughter and grandbaby, it is our hope that it will prevent the defendant from committing such a crime again and bring a sense of justice and closure to our family,” said Sandra Clarke, Raven’s grandmother.
Despite having to wait for the sentence, the family says they’re relieved that the judge is taking time to issue a final ruling.
“There was a statement from the RCMP that the individual was charged with manslaughter, and from last year to now, during this week the family were a little bit distraught to find out it was downgraded to criminal negligence causing death. They were a little bit caught off guard hearing that there was a change in the charge,” said Deon Clarke, councillor for Norway House Cree Nation.
According to the family, the next hearing date has yet to be confirmed.
