A picture taken at the time of the incident. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Man’s death in Prince Albert mall parking lot, results in 7.5 year prison sentence

Nov 17, 2022 | 1:03 PM

The man responsible for instigating a fight at Prince Albert’s South Hill Mall parking lot, and subsequently causing another man’s death, has received a seven-and-a-half year prison sentence.

Chandler Laliberte, 23, entered a guilty plea to manslaughter and was sentenced Thursday morning at Prince Albert Provincial Court.

The case dates back to the early morning hours of Sept. 18, 2021. Recognizing the co-accused is facing trial at Court of King’s Bench, Crown Prosecutor Brent Little read a summary of the evidence.

Following an incident at a nearby bar, two groups of people engaged in a fight on the south side of the parking lot. The victim, 25-year-old Johnny Besskkaystare, was kicked and hit multiple times by Laliberte, suffering a fractured skull and jaw.

“This isn’t a one punch situation,” Little explained.

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Following the incident, a small memorial was set up. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

As he had left his treaty card at the scene, Laliberte was tracked by police to a residence in the city’s midtown area. On the console of a vehicle parked outside, police found the bloodied shirt Laliberte had been wearing. Laliberte also had wounds on his hands and a swollen ankle.

A witness later told police Laliberte had bragged about what he had done, but defence lawyer Christopher Koban later argued that wasn’t true.

Noting Laliberte had behind the wheel of a vehicle that pulled over after spotting Besskkaystare, Judge S. Schiefner said it was obvious he was the instigator. When given the opportunity to speak, Laliberte stood and apologized to the victim’s family.

“I wish I could go back to that day,” he said.

Family members say John Joe Besskkaystare was very passionate about his guitar. (Submitted photo))

Laliberte’s legal aid lawyer explained there were a number of Gladue factors at play, including the fact he was raised by his grandparents, as his own parents could not provide for him. Upon returning to his mother’s care at age 12, Laliberte was exposed to alcohol and poverty and by age 15, was consuming alcohol and marijuana.

“There does appear to be a long standing history here of a multi-generational nature,” Koban said.

Koban also explained Laliberte had sought out counseling and programming for anger management and addictions, and plans to continue on that path at Sask Pen, with hopes one day of getting a job and being a supportive father for his two children.

Mitigating factors considered for the sentence included Laliberte’s minimal criminal record and his early guily plea. Koban noted it would have come even earlier, but court proceedings were delayed waiting for the DNA report.

“I accept you are now remorseful for your actions, Judge Schiefner said, accepting the joint submission presented.

In addition to the prison sentence, Laliberte will be prohibited for life from owning or possessing any firearms or explosives. With credit for time spent in remand custody, he has roughly five and a half years left to serve.

When previously interviewed by paNOW, Besskkaystare family had explained he was visiting the city from Wollaston Lake. Upon hearing news of the sentence, Besskkaystare’s sister said she did not believe it was long enough, nor does she accept Laliberte’s apology.

“I’m not gonna see [my brother] again,” she said.

On Monday, the preliminary inquiry hearing for the co-accused, Clarissa Campbell, was held. She has now been committed for trial at Court of King’s Bench on a charge of second degree murder. No dates have been set at this stage.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell