(File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Prison riot fallout

‘I forgive you for murdering my son,’ mother of man killed in prison riot says at sentence hearing

Jul 23, 2019 | 7:34 PM

Evelyn Bird fought back tears as she faced her son’s killer at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench, and talked about how her son’s death had deeply impacted her family.

Bird read a victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing for Klaine Joseph Campeau. The 26-year-old from St. Albert, Alta. was handed a seven-and-a-half year jail sentence today for his role in the death of Jason Leonard Bird at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary in 2016.

“No mother should ever mourn a child. No sister or brother should bury a sibling,” Bird said.

“I forgive you for murdering my son.”

Campeau is one of five men who was charged with Bird’s death. He pleaded guilty and was granted nine months’ credit for his time in remand.

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In December, 2016, Jason Leonard Bird was found unresponsive in the medium security section of the prison, following a riot that had lasted the better part of nine and a half hours. At the sentencing hearing, Crown prosecutor John Morrall described how several inmates entered Bird’s cell around 6 p.m. and proceeded to engage in a “violent, brutal and cowardly attack.”

“I am sorry for all of this. I never meant for any of this to happen,” _{– Klaine Campeau.}

According to the coroner’s report, Bird suffered blunt force trauma to the head, multiple stab wounds to his chest and back, and also had punctured lungs and internal bleeding. Morral explained there was evidence that more than one shank was used in the attack as well as a metal bar. Bird was left “gasping for breath, unable to leave his cell” the report said. Blood stained clothing was later found in the cell, and there were blood stains on the walls and furniture. Morral said the accused took advantage of a situation where the security cameras were down and there were no guards present.

Defence counsel Chris Lavier said his client was deeply remorseful for what he did, adding Campeau stressed to him his desire to do something productive with his life once released from custody. Campeau’s father and siblings were also in court for the hearing.

Last June, Kelfert Wayne Watetch received a 10-year sentence for his role in the attack. In rendering his decision Judge L.W. Zuk said while the circumstances of the two cases were similar, Watetch had a prior manslaughter conviction while Campeau had a much shorter and less violent criminal past.

When given the opportunity to speak, Campeau stood up in the prisoners’ box and turned to face both the victim’s family as well as his own family members.

“I am sorry for all of this. I never meant for any of this to happen,” he said.

The three other co-accused in the case, Brandon Burns, Landon McKay and Sundance Okemaysim have been scheduled to stand trial in October.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell