La Ronge woman’s death in Prince Albert results in eight-year sentence

While it’s not clear exactly what happened to cause Ross’s death, Dube explained the two had been in bed together, when Clarke got up and went upstairs to get more alcohol. Prior to leaving, he recalled Ross making sounds consistent with what he described as “snoring”.

Upon returning hours later, he found Ross not breathing and called police. However, by the time officers arrived, representatives from Parkland Ambulance met them at the door and confirmed Ross had been deceased for quite some time. Clarke was also in the house and was observed throwing up.

“I can’t believe it,” he was overheard saying, according to Dube.

Multiple people were in the house at the time and told police there were no signs of any fighting and explained Ross had been okay the night prior. The autopsy later determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma from multiple hits to the head and body, and in conjunction with Ross’s blood alcohol level, may have caused asphyxia.

When Judge Schiefner made a point of asking what exactly Clarke did to cause Ross’s death, defence lawyer Brent Little explained his client had no memory of hitting Ross but takes responsibility he might have.

A picture provided by police of Clarke. (Prince Albert Police)

The arrest

Following the incident, a Canada-wide warrant was issued for Clarke and on July 14, police were notified someone matching Clarke’s description was possibly working at a mining exploration camp in Nunavut, approximately 200 miles outside of Baker Lake. When police arrived the following day, and spoke to the on-site manager, they determined that someone was in fact Clarke and two days later Clarke was boarding a plane back to Saskatchewan.

On the morning of July 20, Clarke appeared before a judge in Prince Albert and was remanded to Aug. 13.

Clarke was originally charged with second-degree murder, but entered a guilty plea to the lesser offence. Explaining why the Crown took the plea to manslaughter, Dube said the crown’s case was problematic in that had the case gone to trial as scheduled, the crown would have only been able to present pieces of the puzzle, leaving the judge to determine if there was, in fact, intent to kill.

Ross leaves behind a young son, who is now 8. (Submitted photo/Victoria Levvit)

Background

Among the Gladue factors laid out by Brent Little was Clarke’s time spent in foster care, bouncing around between as many as 10 homes, and being forced to sleep outside.

As a young boy, Clarke had also been subjected to physical abuse from family and had started drinking alcohol at the age of 10 as means to cope with the trauma he was exposed to in his own home.

“That was hell. My mother was evil. She pulled a knife on me,” Little read from a letter to the court.

Despite all the trauma incurred, Clarke would acquire his Grade 12 diploma and find work as a labourer and driller’s helper.

“Corey’s no dummy,” Little explained

At the time of Clarke’s arrest, he was also on a release order, related to a prior sexual assault charge from La Ronge. That matter was resolved on Nov. 4, and Clarke received a three-year sentence. With credit for time spent in custody, he has 10.5 months remaining before starting the sentence for the manslaughter conviction.

A victim impact statement from the child’s father was given to the judge, who later commented it was obvious Ross’s death had a big impact on the family. When given the opportunity to speak, Clarke acknowledged the pain he had caused.

“If I was in their shoes I’d be feeling the same way,” he said.

Inside the courtroom were multiple members of Ross’s family who were observed crying on several occasions. When approached for comment afterwards, they declined.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

La Ronge woman’s death in Prince Albert results in eight-year sentence

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