Kristopher Charles, 22, was found in critical condition on March 22, 2019, and later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Murder case

Rivercrest murder case skips trial, proceeds to sentencing

Nov 24, 2020 | 5:23 PM

CONTENT WARNING: Graphic descriptions of violence.

The four men responsible for the death of a young man last year in Prince Albert, have received prison sentences, ranging from six to nine years.

Raymond Kenneth Bear, Emilio Bouvier, Keegan Dustin Eagle and Joseph Ernest Okeymaysim, were scheduled to face a two week trial at Prince Albert Court of Queen’s Bench, on charges on first-degree murder, but instead each entered guilty pleas on Monday to a lesser charge of manslaughter.

The case dates back to March 22, 2019, when police were called to the Rivercrest apartment building for a complaint of an assault in progress. Kristopher Charles, 22, was found in critical condition and transported to Victoria Union Hospital by ambulance, where he was later pronounced deceased. Charles’s older sister Kayla told paNOW Monday was a very emotional day for the family.

“Now that the case is done I’m relieved but the number of years they received will never be enough for taking his life in such a brutal way,” she said, adding the family wishes it was more but also accept something is better then nothing. “It’s time to move on now and continue to try heal.”

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Kristopher Charles. (submtted photo/ Kayla Charles)

More than a year-and-a half after her brother’s death, Charles said she does not know what the motivation was behind it, adding her brother was a very social person, and always had lots of friends.

“What I miss the most about my little brother is his smile and upbeat personality. He always made sure to put a smile on your face regardless if he was having a bad day or what he was going on in his life,” she said.

The motive for the attack was not discussed in court either, but the gruesome facts of the case did describe a physical altercation in which Charles was assaulted with a knife. He sustained wounds on both of his hands, as well as his left shoulder, lower abdomen, left thigh and chest. One of his fingers was also completely severed.

Blaine Beaven represented Emilio Bouvier, and explained the manslaughter plea reflected his client’s limited role in the incident, essentially being told to watch the door.

“Mr. Bouvier was just of a hanger on with these guys and ended up going with them to this place knowing something was going to happen, but not knowing what happened was going to happen,” Beaven said, adding his client was remorseful and had no ill will toward the deceased.

“My client was definitely happy to avoid rolling the dice on a first-degree murder charge because you never know what the outcome after a trial is going to be,” Beaven said.

According to the facts read in court, Bouvier had no prior criminal record, and while the people involved had gang connections, there was no evidence to suggest the actual incident itself was gang motivated. Ian Mokuruk, who represented Okeymasyim, expressed the hard work by all lawyers in the months leading up to the sentencing hearing.

“It was a very complicated matter but I think all in all it was the right resolution for all concerned,” he said.

At the time of the initial arrests, the police service confirmed the deceased and the suspects were known to each other. All of the men sentenced have been in custody since the incident and were each granted remand credit of 920 days.

Lindsay Rae Henderson, 20, was also charged in the case and entered a not guilty plea to a charge of first of degree murder. Crown eventually stayed her charge.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell