Outside Prince Albert Provincial Court, FSIN Director of Justice Jason Stonechild was joined by PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte and VIce-Chiefs Chris Jobb and Joseph Tsannie. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Waiting for answers

P.A. court case involving in-custody death receives one-month adjournment

Jul 25, 2023 | 5:08 PM

A Prince Albert courtroom was packed Tuesday afternoon as members of the public and elected leaders came to see for themselves the police officer accused of criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessities of life.

Tyson Morash, however, was not present for the short hearing and his lawyer, who noted the need to review the disclosure, was granted an adjournment to Aug. 29.

On Nov. 7, 2021, 33-year-old Saul Laliberte died while in the detention facility at the Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS). His death was treated as an in-custody death and investigated by the Saskatoon Police Service (SPS).

PAPS was notified in June that based on the SPS investigation, the Crown was recommending charges. Crown Prosecutor Chris Browne drove in from North Battleford and handles cases related to police complaints

“We are proceeding with the charges as they have been laid. I did meet with the family today just to explain a little bit about the court process,” he explained.

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In addition to Laliberte’s family members who showed up for Tuesday’s short hearing, there were over two dozen representatives from Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) including Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte and Vice-Chiefs Chris Jobb and Joseph Tsannie.

Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) Director of Justice Jason Stonechild was also present and provided a statement on behalf of the leadership, explaining they have been engaged with and supporting Laliberte’s mother.

“We understand this is a very complex and serious matter and therefore we don’t want to make any definitive statements at this point, just simply because we don know all the facts,” Stonechild said. “I do know from personal experience that policing is very complex.”

Noting the FSIN’s concerns with how vulnerable people are being treated while in custody, Stonechild said Chiefs and leadership are wanting an unbiased proper process that will bring out the truth.

“We have respect for the profession of policing and how difficult it can be and the tremendous responsibility they have on a day to days basis, but they also have an incredible responsibility for our most vulnerable,” he said.

Prior to working with the FSIN, Stonechild was a former Deputy Chief of the PAPS and worked with Morash.

“I know him personally and he’s a good officer and that’s the trouble with policing… there are so many difficult decisions to make on a day to day basis, especially in Prince Albert where policing is very difficult that risk management is not acceptable.”

Reiterating not all the facts are known, and the need to support Laliberte’s family, Stonechild encouraged the public to respect the legal process and not to rush to any judgments.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell