Michael Robert Bird is escorted from Court of King's Bench on Thursday. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Sexual Assault trial soon to be in hands of jury

Oct 23, 2025 | 2:00 PM

A full four days won’t be required for Michael Bird’s sexual assault trial at Court of King’s Bench in Prince Albert.

On Thursday, closing arguments lasted less than 30 minutes, and proceedings were adjourned to Friday morning. That’s when the 12-person jury will receive their final instructions from Justice Labach and then begin deliberating.

The alleged offence occurred on July 1, 2024.

The Crown’s only witnesses this week were the responding police officer and the victim.

As per testimony heard, the female victim, who had been drinking heavily with friends, had passed out on a bed and awoke to allegedly find Bird on top of her performing sexual intercourse.

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The woman admitted to being highly intoxicated but claimed to have a clear memory of the incident and seeing Bird.

Crown Prosecutor Kristen Hubbard told the jurors there should be no dispute.

“An unconscious person cannot consent to sexual activity,” she said.

Hubbard also stated that while the woman could not remember details such as who she was drinking with, what she was drinking, or what she was wearing, she still appeared truthful and candid and had no reason to make anything up.

“She has nothing to gain.”

Michael Bird did not testify, and defence lawyer Evan Strelioff noted his client does not have to prove anything.

Stating the Crown failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the woman was actually sexually assaulted or that Bird was the one who did it, Strelioff cited the fact that no sexual assault kit was ever completed and that there was no corroborating evidence. He also reiterated the woman’s high level of intoxication and the police officer’s own account that the woman appeared confused and almost delirious.

A publication ban ordered by Justice Labach prohibits the publication of any information that could identify the witnesses.

Regardless of this week’s trial, Bird will not be going anywhere, as he is also on remand for a murder charge. The alleged sexual assault occurred exactly three weeks before Trevor LaPlante was found deceased.

While that matter has also been committed to Court of King’s Bench, trial dates have not yet been set.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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