Phillip Okemow was sentenced Wednesday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

$20 debt collection, results in four year prison sentence

Feb 23, 2022 | 1:47 PM

A shooting incident last summer at Sturgeon Lake First Nation, was the result in part of an effort to collect a $20 debt, according to evidence heard in court this week.

Phillip Okemow, 25, received a four year sentence on Wednesday at Prince Albert Provincial Court, after entering guilty pleas the previous day to possession of a restricted firearm and discharging a firearm with intent to injure. He had originally also been charged with attempted murder, but that was one of seven charges withdrawn by the Crown at the time of sentencing.

The case dates back to the night of June 24, 2021. According to the statement of facts read in court by Crown Prosecutor Gail Douglas, a vehicle drove up to a residence on the reserve, and the driver went inside to inquire about a $20 debt.

While this was occurring, a verbal altercation took place outside the residence between the vehicle’s passenger (Okemow) and another man who was at the residence. Okemow proceeded to pull out a gun and fired two shots, hitting the victim once in the lower rib area.

“When police arrived, there were already many people there trying to assist with first aid,” Douglas explained.

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Okemow was arrested the following day at a residence on the nearby Little Red River First Nation.

The victim, according to Douglas, was transported by STARS air ambulance to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon, where he had the bullet removed, and fortunately did not suffer any further complications from it.

“Far as I know he recovered without any further incidents,” Douglas said.

Rather than proceed to sentencing on Tuesday, Judge H. Harradence adjourned the case one day, requesting the Crown make one more attempt to get a victim impact statement.

Douglas had earlier mentioned difficulties talking to the victim’s family, noting they had expressed concerns about the gang related ties to the case. And when asked for an update on Wednesday, Douglas expressed to the judge despite her best efforts to reach out, she had received no response.

The four year sentence represented a joint submission from the Crown and defence, and Douglas acknowledged it was on the low end for a charge of this nature. She explained she had taken into account Okemow’s minimal record.

“There has been a dramatic increase in the severity of his actions,” she said.

Douglas did however make a recommendation for a lifetime firearms ban.

Defence submissions

Dale Blenner-Hassett explained his client started using cocaine and meth when he was 18, and despite efforts to stay sober, fell off the wagon at the time of the incident.

Blenner-Hassett also explained Okemow was not a gang member but associates with people who are. He then added Okemom had expressed fear about serving time at Sask. Pen, as the victim was a gang member.

“He does fear for his life,” Blenner-Hassett said.

Blenner-Hassett also told the judge Okemow was very remorseful for his actions; had been very cooperative with police from day one; insisted he was not a violent person; and further claimed the incident at Sturgeon Lake was a turning point in his life.

Response from the judge

Before accepting the proposed joint sentence, Judge Harradence explained the sentence in each case must be proportional and reflect both the individual’s background (family upbringing, government involvement, education etc.) as well as the gravity of the offence.

“This is a grave offence,” he said.

With time spent in remand custody, Okemow has roughly three years left to serve, and Harradence agreed to make a strong recommendation that Okemow not serve his time at the Sask Pen, due to incompatibility with other inmates.

With respect to the Crown’s request for a lifetime firearms ban, Harradence concluded a 10 year prohibition was sufficient, given that it was Okemow’s first gun related offence. Okemow can still however still apply for exemptions related to hunting for the purpose of sustaining food.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell