Coroner’s Inquest hears experts’ assessment of Myles Sanderson

Vanessa told reporters that she was nervous and anxious prior to her testimony, but now feels that a weight has been lifted off her shoulders. She said she has also had some questions answered during testimony, especially during Dr. Matthew Logan’s presentation on Friday.

“It gave me a…deeper understanding into Myles,” Vanessa explained, answers that included definitions of his behaviours, and delving into his childhood.

“It hurt…to hear about his childhood. Made me feel a little sad. A little sorry for him…he didn’t have a chance.”

Deborah said she has been speaking with her family to come up with questions at the inquest, as they are one of the families that has standing and is allowed to do so. She said she prepares to asks questions by taking some deep breaths, and by noting that the worst has already happened and trying not to replay the events.

“Thinking of my father and what he would have wanted – he probably would have wanted to know [the answers to] these questions too,” Deborah explained.

She said the second day of the inquest, which had footage of her father’s bus in the ditch via an RCMP dash-cam, was difficult.

“Knowing that he was passed (by RCMP) four times and ignored, that was hard,” Deborah told reporters. “If I had seen that prior then I probably wouldn’t have reacted the way I did and taken it so heavily,” She said her sister Vanessa’s testimony was also difficult to get through. Despite the difficult nature of the inquest, Deborah said there’s something to look forward to each day.

“Going home, I have a four-month-old baby who brings a lot of love and joy, and so that helps.”

Deborah admitted to reporters that she was initially angry about learning that her father’s bus had been passed by the RCMP, and wondering why he didn’t’ receive help.

However, hearing from the responding RCMP officer at the inquest, Deborah said that helped her.

“Talking to the actual police officer that attended the scene, and seeing his facial expression and seeing that he’s compassionate, he’s a human being as well and that he’s affected by this too…he wished he would have [gotten] their sooner too.”

Deborah explained that seeing and hearing first-hand how quickly events were unfolding, and the extent of the crimes, she believes that the RCMP couldn’t have acted any faster.

“It was chaotic, it was crazy…nobody expected something like that.”

Deborah said she speaks with the other families that have standing and talks about questions to ask those testifying at the inquest, and they remind each other that they are all there to support one another.

Vanessa took some time to ask community leaders to pay attention to their community, to keep in touch with people, and be transparent.

“Quit keeping people in the dark about things,” Vanessa said. “I feel like they care more about money than their own people.”

Vanessa said the inquest has reopened some raw wounds, but added “I’m ready to move on with my life too at the same time.”

She added that, in her opinion, there aren’t enough supports for victims of domestic.

“We have to fend for ourselves,” Vanessa said. “We have no money, no job.”

There are also kids to worry about in those scenarios, and Vanessa said she worried about becoming a burden on people in her time of need.

Vanessa was asked what she had to tell other victims and survivors of domestic abuse.

“Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. There’s going to be naysayers, just don’t listen to them. Be strong, and know that you deserve better than being abused.”

DR. MATTHEW LOGAN

A criminal investigative psychologist delved into Myles Sanderson’s background at the Coroner’s Inquest.

Dr. Matthew Logan testified that his post-mortem behavioural analysis report shows Myles Sanderson exhibited traits common with someone with Antisocial Personality Disorder, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Psychopathy, and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Dr. Logan based much of his diagnosis on correctional documents and psychological assessments conducted during his time being incarcerated. Dr. Logan said Myles believed that he had fetal alcohol neurological issues, and that his mother has revealed she drank while pregnant with Myles.

Dr. Logan testified that Sanderson exhibited symptoms including violence, lack of remorse, and a need for control, and that he had a very full history of substance abuse. Sanderson started experimenting with alcohol and marijuana in his early teens, later graduating to crystal methamphetamine and cocaine. Dr. Logan said Myles used meth heavily and his final drug of choice was cocaine. Most of the incidents committed by Sanderson were committed while he was on drugs and/or alcohol.

Myles was also described as a mission-oriented offender, and Dr. Logan said Myles’ rage and hatred was targeted toward people with Terror Squad ties. Dr. Logan’s testimony, however, revealed no concrete ties to Terror Squad; for example, Myles was not, to his knowledge, ever assaulted by Terror Squad members. Also, evidence does not reveal that Myles had gang ties, though Myles admitted to corrections officials that he was once part of a gang but not since his late teens.

Testimony revealed that Myles’ first relationship was at the age of 14 with a woman four years his senior, and they had a child. That relationship ended due to jealousy, mistrust, and abuse.

Dr. Logan described Myles’ childhood as being full of rejection, abuse, neglect, and violence. Myles was bounced between his mother’s home and father’s home, and his grandparents as well. Dr. Logan said there was allegedly abuse where his grandfather threatened to shoot him.

Myles employment was described as ‘sporadic’. He worked at various jobs, as Dr. Logan testified Myles in many cases either didn’t show up for work or was unwilling to work. In school, Myles was suspended multiple times for fighting and truancy, and he dropped out of school in grade 10.

Dr. Logan said despite Myles’ issues, his behaviour in youth facilities, a provincial healing lodge, and the Saskatchewan Penitentiary was described as “non-remarkable”. The psychologist expected Myles to have more problems while incarcerated.

Despite Sanderson’s lengthy criminal record and history of violence, Dr. Logan testified that it is difficult to know at the time whether someone will commit mass murder, and that it is much easier to determine in hindsight. He added there was nothing in the reports that he read that indicated that this is someone that would commit this rampage.

The criminal investigative psychologist explained that prevention programs that spot potential behavioural issues as a child are very important in helping to prevent escalation of issues in the future. He also emphasized the importance of having an early diagnosis of conditions like FASD. He acknowledged that it is much easier dealing with behavioural issues and disorders when someone is a child than as an adult.

According to Dr. Logan’s testimony, it’s also important for the community to step up when people are released from incarceration, to have supports in place for them to succeed in society.

STAFF SGT. CARL SESELY

Next to testify was Staff Sgt. Carl Sesely, a 38-year RCMP veteran in charge of the profiling and threat assessment unit in Ottawa.

He was the co-author with Dr. Logan of the report on post-mortem behavioural analysis report of Myles Sanderson.

Sesely testified that the goal of the analysis is to learn about the offender, his behaviour, and the victimology as well.

Sesely outlined the four definitions of victims, and why they were selected.

Primary Grievance-based Target: Myles had a perceived grievance against these people. Included in this group were Tristan Paul, Robert ‘Bobby’ Sanderson, Brandon Generaux, Keenan Head, Gregory Burns, Earl Burns (Vanessa’s father), Thomas Burns, Arlene Moostoos, Creeden DiPaolo

Secondary Grievance-based Target: By virtue of their association/connection of primary target. Victims included in this group include Christian and Lana Head, Haley Head-Sanderson, and her husband Richard, Chantelle Constant, Carol Burns, Bonnie Burns, Lydia Gloria Burns, and Geena Ooponichaw.

Grievance Unknown: Grievance was not established. Targets in this case include Martin Moostoos, Keenan Scott, and Davis Head

Reactive Target: Someone who poses a block or disrupts the offender’s ability to carry out their mission/task. Victims in this instance include his brother Damien, and Wesley Petterson, who was killed in Weldon.

According to Sesely, the mission of Myles Sanderson was to attack, injure, and murder those with whom he had a grievance. That may have included his ex, Vanessa.

Sesely surmised that Myles’ goal was to get to Saskatoon to harm Vanessa, and that it’s clear that his mission wasn’t complete. He stopped at a number of places to either get a new vehicle, gas, or money.

Myles’ main grievances appear to be anyone he believed was associated with the Terror Squad, along with anyone he believed was going to call the police on him.

Sesely testified that it’s important people not ignore when someone is making a threat and are talking about harming people, and that if anyone suspects someone is on a pathway to violence and has a grievance, to report it to police.

He added that Myles Sanderson didn’t harm people he interacted with that he didn’t have a grievance against, and he was only harming people with whom he had a grievance, or those who stood in the way of his mission.

EDDIE HEAD – JAMES SMITH SECURITY FORCE

Eddie Head, the head of the James Smith security force, testified that the members were trained with GardaWorld in Saskatoon, and undertook a six to seven week program for security officers.

The security crew carries a baton, pepper spray, and handcuffs, though are asked to back off major incidents and contact the Melfort RCMP detachment.

Head said the security force has a positive, open relationship with the Melfort RCMP, and acknowledges the officers’ hard work. But he decried the limited funds provided to the RCMP, and said their coverage area has led to delays in response times in the past.

He also expressed frustration in a justice system that, in his mind, are too lenient and should be more concerned about protecting society. Head said when people come out of incarceration, they are often more criminalized.

Head hoped that youth on James Smith are shown a return to a more traditional way of life, citing sweats, meeting with elders, teaching hunting and trapping, and healing.

MANDY MAIER – SASKATCHEWAN RCMP STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

Friday’s testimony kicked off with Mandy Maier of Saskatchewan RCMP Strategic Communications discussing the alerts sent out during the attack and the days after.

There were ten emergency alerts issued from Sept. 4-7, 2022, according to Maier. She said the public expectations are to get information quickly to help keep them safe. However, the strategic communications team still needs to listen to the alert and get all of the necessary information before issuing an alert.

Maier acknowledged that there were two alerts sent out with the incorrect picture of Myles Sanderson, which she called ‘human error’. There were two people in the system in the same area with the same name, but the picture first taken from files was of the incorrect Myles Sanderson. Maier said as soon as they learned of the error, the correct picture was located and disseminated via emergency alert.

Maier said the James Smith alerts also showed the Communications team that the map tool in the system was nearly impossible to use and has since been upgraded.

She called the situation during that time both fluid and very chaotic, and their effort was to distribute accurate information as quickly as possible.

Maier testified that between Sept. 4 and 7, the RCMP communications team issued 12 media releases, conducted 15 separate media interviews, made 49 social media posts on RCMP profiles, held three live-streamed press conferences, and fielded 382 media requests.

The coroner’s inquest has been adjourned until Monday, Sept. 22 at 9:30 a.m. at the Kerry Vickar Centre in Melfort.

by Cam Lee

Coroner’s Inquest hears experts’ assessment of Myles Sanderson

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