A photo taken of Bryce Bird leaving Prince Albert Court of Queen's Bench. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

‘I forgive you’: Guilty plea in Prince Albert manslaughter case

May 25, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Sitting less than 10 feet away from the man who killed her son, Freda Durocher fought back tears, as she replied to an apology with ‘I forgive you.”

Bryce Bird, 20, appeared Tuesday morning at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench, where he entered a guilty plea to a single charge of manslaughter, in connection to the death of 27-year-old Cody McAdam in February 2019.

According to the statement of facts read in court by Crown Prosecutor Andreanne Dube, Bird and McAdam had not met prior to the morning of Feb. 9, 2019. An image of the two men walking together was captured by a local resident’s surveillance camera near 11th St. and third Ave. E.

Less than two blocks away the two men had a disagreement over the exchange of “a pill”, and Bird proceeded to stab McAdam once in the throat.

He then fled the scene on foot. When later questioned by police what motivated him to pull out a knife, Bird replied “nothing, just came to my mind and I did it.”

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McAdam was conscious, and choking on his own blood, when located by police but went into cardiac arrest on the way to hospital and never woke up. He was pronounced deceased on Feb. 16.

Cody McAdam was pursuing a career as a professional cook. (Facebook)

At the time of the incident, Bird was 18. When he was arrested the following year, he was already in custody on unrelated weapons related offences.

Dube revealed in court Bird had actually been released from jail less than 12 hours prior to meeting McAdam, and had been on a conditional sentence order (CSO) which included the conditions of keeping the peace, and not possessing a weapon.

Dube also noted in her submissions Bird offered no remorse during his interviews with police, and added McAdam was both sober and unarmed.

“He left Mr. McAdam to die,” she said.

Defence submissions

Defence lawyer Brent Little argued his client was very remorseful for his actions and explained his replies during the police interview, were more indicative of his level of education and lack of understanding of what was being asked.

Little went on to explain Bird grew up in the care of his grandmother at Big River First Nation, and moved to the city when he was 17. With no supports in place, a lack of ability to read or write, and essentially no employable skills, Bird lived a transient lifestyle and became associated with a local street gang. His criminal record, which includes mostly property related offences, started when he was 18.

When given the opportunity to speak, Bird said he had no comment for the court, but asked Madame Justice N.D. Crooks if he coud turn around and speak directly to the mother and grandmother of McAdam, who were sitting nearby.

“I’d just like to say sorry to you about your son,” he said, adding he wished he could take back what happened.

Freda Durocher, McAdam’s foster mother, replied “I forgive you for what you’ve done.”

Outside the courthouse, Durocher explained to paNOW what she was thinking when she made the powerful statement.

“I think in order for me to heal I had to forgive,” she said.

Sentencing has been adjourned to Friday afternoon. The Crown is seeking a 10-year sentence, while the defence suggested a seven year sentence was more appropriate.

Cody McAdam, 27, was stabbed early in the morning of Feb. 9. According to police, the assault happened in an alley of the 200 block of 12th St. E. McAdam succumbed to his injuries nearly a week later in a Saskatoon hospital.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell