Brett Ledoux was shot and killed in August, 2017. (Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Ledoux murder case concludes with 7.5 year sentence

Mar 10, 2023 | 5:33 PM

The woman who shot and killed Duane Brett Ledoux in August, 2017 has received a sentence of 7.5 years.

However with credit for time spent in remand, 34-year-old Marissa Bird has roughly eight months remaining.

Upon her release from custody, she will be then be on probation for three years and is prohibited for life from owning or possessing any weapons.

Initially charged with first-degree murder, Bird was found guilty last September on a lesser charge of manslaughter. The Crown was seeking four years, while defence suggested a sentence of time served was more appropriate, given the fact Bird had accumulated nearly 1,700 days remand credit (4.5 years).

Madame Justice Heather MacMillan-Brown ultimately imposed a sentence that would meet the lawyers halfway.

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“No sentence can reverse the terrible consequences of her actions on that fateful night in 2017,” she explained, while adding gang activity must be denounced and deterred.

Bird’s actual trial was held in Feb. 2021. Witnesses testified Ledoux had gone to a house in the city’s west flat neighbourhood to receive ‘a minute’; a term used by street gangs when a member breaks the rules and receives a one-minute beating.

In this case, Ledoux had kissed another member’s ex-girlfriend which was forbidden and is termed “dirty macking.” He had also been accused of robbery and continuing to wear street gang colours despite being stripped of them.

As many as 20 people had gathered at the house that night for a meeting, including a number of street gang members from Saskatoon. After the assault, people at the house were observed playing with a gun, joking “safety on and “safety off” and it was Bird who was holding it when Ledoux was shot. She has always maintained it was an accident and never had any intention to kill Ledoux.

“Marissa played Russian Roulette with Brett’s life,” MacMillan-Brown stated.

Among the mitigating factors considered for the sentence were Bird’s young age, personal background, and show of remorse. During her last appearance in court, Bird was very emotional when she apologized to the victim’s family, as well as her own family.

During Friday’s hearing, Bird was equally emotional. But while respecting the fact Bird had since cut ties with her former gang associates and had made a commitment, Madame Justice Heather MacMillan-Brown also noted Bird had committed the offence, with days of being released from custody.

“She stole him from his family and friends and her remorse can not turn back the clock,” she noted.

A picture taken at the time of Ledoux’s death. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

The three co-accused all entered guilty pleas at separate hearings in 2020.

Lenny Daniels received an eight-year sentence after pleading guilty to manslaughter. Boden Umpherville and William Chaboyer received three-year sentences for their respective roles. The two men pleaded guilty to charges of assault and participation in a criminal organization.

Reaction from the families

Outside the courthouse, Ledoux’s mother Carla Pederson acknowledged she would have preferred a longer sentence, but added she was also grateful Bird was serving some time.

Pederson also disclosed she had known Bird a long time, even babysitting her at one time.

“That’s why it hurt me so much for her to take Brett’s life because they used to be kid friends. They used to play together when they were in pampers,” she said.

Acknowledging Bird’s show of remorse and apology, Pederson confessed she must forgive.

“My pastor told me if I don’t forgive her, I’m gonna become a very bitter person, and like she said, ‘we can never bring him back.’ And now I know he’s gonna because at least she did some time,” she said, adding her own desire Bird can stay on a good path and stay true to her word to remain sober and stay away from gangs.

Members of Bird’s family were also in court Friday but declined to provide a statement, only expressing their own relief the court process was complete.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell