A picture of Marissa Bird leaving Prince Albert's Court of Queen's Bench on Friday. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Verdict reserved in Brett Ledoux murder case

Jan 28, 2022 | 5:00 PM

A man’s murder in Prince Albert over four years ago was not a hit, it was a mistake.

That was the comment made by Marissa Bird’s lawyer Patrick McDougall as the trial officially wrapped up Friday morning at Prince Albert’s Court of Queen’s Bench.

She’s facing a charge of first degree murder in the death of Brett Ledoux in August, 2017. The remains of the 25-year-old were found inside a home in the 800 block of 17th St. W.

According to witness testimony, Ledoux went to the house voluntarily to receive a “minute” – a gang related term for a beating someone may receive as a form of punishment but does not involve murder. While it’s unclear the specific reason he was being disciplined, there were mentions in court to wearing the gang flag after he had been stripped of it, and also a suggestion he may have had a relationship of some sorts with a senior member’s girlfriend.

Brett Ledoux would have been 25 on the day of his death. (Facebook)

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In his closing remarks, McDougall, who believes Bird should be sentenced for manslaughter, noted Ledoux’s death occurred hours after the alleged minute, and claimed his client never intended to kill Ledoux.

In a statement to police, Bird admitted to shooting Ledoux in the head, but explained a gun was being playfully passed around by a number of people. She thought the safety was on when she pointed it at the victim.

“It’s an unspeakable tragedy,” McDougall said, adding the incident also speaks to the broader issue of the community’s and the province’s issues with gun violence.

McDougall also refuted claims the incident was gang related and Ledoux may have been led to the house intentionally. Once again noting his client’s statement to police, McDougall explained she made it clear the gang was in a state of disarray at the time, and was just a bunch of young people running around doing illegal stuff.

“It was a party and people were coming and going,” he said.

McDougall also questioned the credibility of the Crown’s witnesses, noting a number of inconsistencies and contradictions. He said only Bird’s statement to police should be treated as genuine and of all the Crown’s witnesses, she was the only one “pushed” while being interviewed by police.

“Miss Bird told the truth,” he said. “No one expected it or wanted it.”

Crown lawyer Shawn Blackman explained Bird’s ties to the gang were well known and at that time was on probation, so she knew she had to “be ready to do anything” she was told to by a higher up.

Blackman also explained the Crown did not have to prove Bird personally intended to kill Ledoux, only that she was associated, and that her actions of being there had caused the death.

The verdict has been reserved to September.

Noting how’s it been almost a year since the witness portion of the trial, Madame Justice Heather MacMillan-Brown explained she needed time to properly review all the evidence.

Three others were charged in the case and have been sentenced. Lenny Daniels received an eight year sentence after pleading guilty to manslaughter. Boden Umpherville and William Chaboyer received three year sentences for their respective roles. The two men pleaded guilty to charges of assault and participation in a criminal organization.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell