Madison Bird-Simaganis was found by police during a traffic stop on Jan. 9. (Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Bird-Simaganis murder committed for trial

Nov 3, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Prince Albert’s first murder case of 2021 has been formally committed for trial.

At the conclusion of a preliminary hearing, Joseph Curtis Madden remains charged with second degree murder in the death last January of Madison Bird-Simaganis.

The case will be tried by judge and jury at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench. The dates have not yet been set.

Bird-Simaganis from Little Red River First Nation was initially found by police in the late evening hours of Jan. 9, following a traffic stop in the 1400 block of Sixth Ave. W.

The 21-year-old was suffering from serious, life-threatening injuries, and transported by ambulance to hospital where he passed away the following morning.

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The Prince Albert Police Service later identified Joseph Curtis Madden as their suspect, and issued a Canada-wide warrant for his arrest. Madden was subsequently arrested on Jan. 22 at a residence in Saskatoon and has been in custody since.

Joseph Curtis Madden. (Submitted photo/Prince Albert Police Service)

At this stage of the court proceedings, the details of the incident remain unclear, and the evidence discussed during the preliminary hearing is under a publication ban, but the family previously indicated Bird-Simaganis may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“Madison stepped into a situation that he never expected to lose his life. He was trying to help,” the statement from the victim’s family said. “This was the kind of man Madison was, always ready to help wherever it is needed. This is what we want him remembered for.”

The obituary and statement from the family revealed Bird-Simaganis leaves behind a young daughter, and had another child on the way.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell