The provincial auditor says Saskatchewan needs to hone in on data collection and analysis to reduce the amount of people on remand in correctional facilities – specifically in Saskatoon.
The court heard that 38-year-old Weeseekase has 75 prior criminal convictions. “That is very, very sad,” said Judge Kim Young. Judge Young said Weeseekase isn’t beyond redemption and there could be some hope for him in the future. “But as Mr. Holm points out, usually in their old age people slow down and they don’t have the energy level to keep up the criminal activity but that’s not so with Mr. Weeseekase. He just keeps going like the energizer bunny. That is very, very unfortunate. “Protecting the public for as long as possible is a major, major factor in sentencing; to keep Mr. Weeseekase away from other members of the community so he can’t harm them,” said Judge Young.
Others charged with Moosomin’s murder had more court appearances in North Battleford Provincial Court. Denver Roy, 36, from Sweetgrass First Nation, appeared on May 6 by CCTV from Saskatoon Correctional Centre. He is charged with accessory after the fact to murder and indecent interference with a dead body. Legal aide lawyer Bill Archer told the court it would be a conflict for his office to represent Roy and asked that the matter be adjourned while Roy’s file is sent to private counsel. He is scheduled to appear next on May 19. Tye Partridge, 23, from Moosomin First Nation, is charged with first-degree murder. He had an appearance on May 6 and his matter was also adjourned to May 19.
North Battleford Crown Prosecutor Oryn Holm and defence lawyer Don Smith entered a joint submission to the court for a nine-month conditional sentence. Charges of discharging a firearm with intent to endanger life and assault of a police officer with a weapon were withdrawn. McAlpine and four others were charged after an incident on Onion Lake Cree Nation on Jan. 1, 2021. Holm told the court there was no evidence McAlpine in any way encouraged the flight from the police or shooting at the police, and she was in the vehicle when the incident happened but not a willing participant. He said her culpability comes from the knowledge that there were firearms in the vehicle.
Prince Albert Daily Herald
Saskatchewan Penitentiary. Herald file photo
Saskatchewan’s correctional centres are facing COVID-19 “outbreaks of concern” driven by COVID variants, the province’s physicians heard Thursday.
Correctional facilities were highlighted as one of several workplaces leading to declared outbreaks during Thursday’s weekly physician town halls. Corrections came up a handful of times in the presentation.
Dr. Johnmark Opondo, who gave the epidemiological update, told his colleagues that correctional settings “have been really prominent in terms of care production numbers.”
He said outbreaks in Regina and Saskatoon correctional centres as well as at Saskatchewan Penitentiary in Prince Albert, are considered “outbreaks of concern” and are all being driven by variants.