In addition to being an accomplished athlete, Alex Whitehead was well known for his generosity. (Submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

‘He just deserves justice’: New Year’s Day murder proceeds to court

Apr 29, 2022 | 12:00 PM

Charmaine Poorman says her brother deserves justice.

On Friday, she was one of nearly a dozen people to show up at Prince Albert Provincial Court to witness first hand Richard Budd’s first appearance.

The 21-year-old is facing a charge of second degree murder in the death of 20-year-old Alex Whitehead in Prince Albert on New Year’s Day. Outside the courthouse, Poorman told paNOW she took care of Whitehead, until he was old enough to take care of the family.

“I knew that if I didn’t show up for every one of these court hearings and trials of any sort, I might feel like I might let him down a little,” she explained. “He just deserves justice as much as possible because he would never hurt anybody the way he was hurt in that situation.”

Budd was arrested Thursday morning by Prince Albert Police. In addition to the murder charge, he’s also accused of assaulting two other people who were at the house party, as well as break and enter. Poorman acknowledged that prior to Thursday, she was beginning to experience feelings of doubt. But then her mom called her with news of the arrest.

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“It had me shaking. I was relieved, and then I was almost feeling sick and nauseated,” she said.

During Friday’s brief hearing, the thinly framed Richard Budd said nothing beyond acknowledging his name and that he understood the charges he was facing. Budd’s legal aid lawyer was ultimately granted an adjournment to May 19.

Brett Lachance, Whitehead’s first cousin was also in court Friday, and recalled that while growing up together in Meath Park, they were more like brothers. He said Whitehead’s passing was so sudden and really rocked the tight knit family.

“It just helps us sleep a little better now that we are making some headway into this case and things are being laid out,” he said.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell