Bruce Napope is escorted by a deputy sheriff, from Prince Albert Court of King's Bench on Wednesday. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Accused in Prince Albert murder trial opts not to testify

Nov 21, 2023 | 2:00 PM

A man accused of committing a violent assault at the Prince Albert Correctional Centre that left the victim in a coma, has opted not to testify at his own murder trial.

Bruce Napope is alleged to be one of three men who entered Tyson Lafonde’s cell in January, 2020 and fled soon after. Lafonde spent over a year in medical care before passing away. As a result of the police investigation, Napope was charged with second degree murder.

The trial at Court of King’s Bench in Prince Albert, has spanned three weeks. During that time, the Crown called a total of 14 witnesses including police officers, correctional staff, and a blood spatter expert.

The Crown’s final witness on Wednesday was Saskatoon neurologist Dr. Gary Hunter, who assessed Lafonde on Jan. 20, 2020, after he was transferred from Prince Albert’s Victoria Hospital to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

Hunter noted the type of brain injury Lafonde incurred was more common amongst patients who had been involved in a high speed car accident.

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“It would have to be a significant force,” he said.

Tyson Lafonde’s obituary picture. (Beau Lac Funeral Home)

Prior to the assault, Lafonde had just returned to his cell after making himself a sandwich in the kitchen.

In March 2020, Lafonde was transferred back to Prince Albert and stayed at the Herb Bassett care home. At this time he required 24-hour care as he was unable to feed himself, walk, and had very minimal communication.

The following February, after being informed by doctors that the prognosis going forward was not good, Lafonde’s family made the decision to take him off life support. Lafonde passed away Feb. 15, 2021.

The autopsy ruled the official cause of death to be pneumonia, with the head injury listed as an underlying factor.

The trial has been adjourned to Wednesday morning for final arguments from the Crown and defence.

One of the co-accused, Kyle Thurston Bear, was in court last month and entered a guilty plea to manslaughter. His case was adjourned to Jan. 5, to allow time for a pre-sentence report to be completed.

George Samuel Custer, was also charged in the case, but was later granted a stay of proceedings by the Crown.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell