Tyrone Nontell being led away in handcuffs from Prince Albert Court of Queen's Bench. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Guilty plea

P.A. man receives lengthy prison sentence for gang member slaying

Oct 29, 2019 | 5:00 PM

A man who shot and killed a gang member over an alleged $300 drug debt, will spend the next 15 years in prison.

Tyrone Nontell, 33, was originally charged with second degree murder in connection to the July, 2018 death of Tyrell Bird but at the start of a hearing Tuesday morning at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench, he entered a guilty plea to a lesser charge of manslaughter.

Bird was intially shot on June 28, 2018 in the 200 block of Ninth St.E. He remained in hospital on life support until his death four days later.

According to the statement of facts read in court by Crown prosecutor Kristen Hubbard, Bird and two others went to Nontell’s house that day to discuss the sale of bad drugs, and also discuss why Nontell, who was not associated with any gangs, was selling drugs on “their turf.”

Upon seeing three strangers come to his door, including Bird who was armed with a gun, Nontell picked up his own gun and fired a shot from his kitchen. The bullet struck Bird on the left side of his face, causing him to turn around and run. As Bird and the others attempted to run away, Nontell fired a second shot, this time hitting Bird in the shoulder. The bullet lodged in Bird’s spine, causing a brain bleed.

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“I am very sorry for what I’ve done” _{– Tyrone Nontell.}

Nontell was arrested the following October. Lab results matched his DNA to the black Savage rifle found at his house. The bullet fragments found inside Bird were also matched to the gun.

Defence counsel Dale Blenner-Hasset said Nontell had no prior criminal record at the time of the incident, and was selling marijuana to support his cocaine addiction. He further explained Nontell was aware he had several “displeased customers” and when faced with three strangers at his door, he panicked.

“He was afraid for his life,” Blenner-Hassett said, adding Nontell intended to scare the three men instead of hurt anyone.

Blenner-Hassett said Nontell wasn’t aware anyone was injured by his gunshots. He only learned about Bird’s death through media reports.

Despite some signs the incident might have been an act of self defence, Blenner-Hassett told paNOW outside court there was “no legal foundation” for that defence.

When given the opportunity to speak at the sentencing hearing, Nontell reached out to Bird’s family.

“I would just like to extend my condolences to the family. I am very sorry for what I’ve done,” he said.

The 15-year prison sentence was a joint submission by the Crown and the defence. Nontell was granted 576 days for time spent in remand, and upon his release will be prohibited from owning or possessing any guns for 10 years. Blenner-Hassett also requested his client be granted transfer to an institution outside Saskatchewan, citing how Nontell had already been assaulted numerous times by gang members at the Prince Albert Correctional Centre.

Justice G.A. Meschisnick granted the request and then turned to Nontell with his own advice.

‘I hope you find a way to share your story about the consequences of what a life of drugs can do,” he said.

Editor’s note: this story was amended to make clear the shooting occurred on Ninth St.E.

—

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell