Barry Pruden was 47 at the time of his death last year. (Facebook)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

‘The guys that did this should go to jail forever’: Second youth sentenced in Prince Albert riverbank murder

Dec 22, 2023 | 5:00 PM

A youth who was involved in a brutal assault last year in Prince Albert, in which the victim was stabbed multiple times by multiple youths, has received a three-year sentence.

The youth, who was 15 at the time of Barry Pruden’s death, entered a guilty plea to manslaughter. The case was discussed Friday afternoon at Prince Albert Provincial Court. As per the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the youth cannot be identified.

According to the joint submission, 23 months of the sentence will be served in custody and the remaining 13 months in the community under the supervision of the Intensive Rehabilitation Custody and Supervision program (IRCS). Upon being released from custody, the youth will also be to a 20-year prohibition related to firearms and explosives.

The IRCS program is federally funded and is geared toward helping youth with mental health needs and convicted of serious violent offences.

A section of River Street, behind the court house, was taped off for a period of time. (NIgel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

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On the night of the incident, 47-year-old Barry Pruden was attacked along the city’s riverbank area, just north of the provincial courthouse. He and his daughter had been out riding their bikes and after leaving Georgie’s Cold Beer and Wine Store, were confronted by a group of youths.

When the youths attempted to take Skye Pruden’s bike, Pruden pulled a gardening tool out of his bag and began swinging it. This allowed his daughter an opportunity to escape and run for help. However when she initially tried asking for help at Georgie’s she was turned away. And during the assault, multiple vehicles drove by.

When one of the youths was struck on the hand by the rake like object, the group, who were all brandishing knives or some sort of blunt weapon, became enraged and Pruden was stabbed multiple times in the head, neck and chest areas. After falling to the ground, and lying face down in a pool of his own blood, Pruden was then further beaten by the youths, until they were scared off by the sounds of sirens.

Just prior to police arriving, the youths fled back across the street towards the riverbank and then scattered in multiple directions.

The youth who was sentenced on Friday was responsible for stabbing Pruden in the legs. A second youth who had earlier been found guilty of second degree murder, was the one who stabbed Pruden in the head and received a seven year sentence – three years closed custody and four years of community supervision.

Crown Prosecutor Cam Scott noted the youth had taken some steps to attend programming and according to a pre-sentence had a very troubled childhood.

“That being said, he still has to be held accountable,” Scott said, advising the sentence imposed for youth was the maximum allowed under the youth criminal justice act.

In turn, defense lawyer Chris Gratton, who also noted the youth’s previous conviction for robbery, explained the youth was still capable of rehabilitation.

Elaborating on the youth’s troubling childhood. Gratton described how he had been bounced around from foster home to foster home, was introduced to alcohol by his own mother at age 13 and was also taught by her how to steal.

“It was just a matter of time before something very serious happened,” he said.

Further noting several attempts by the youth to commit self harm while in custody, Gratton said the youth’s mental health has improved and he now has goals that include a mechanics course and helping other youth avoid situations like he was involved in.

When given the opportunity to speak, the youth who had insisted on picking out a suit to wear to court to show his maturity, apologized to the victim’s family.

“I plan on changing my life,” he said. “I feel very guilty for what I’ve done.”

Referring to the incident as a senseless act of violence, Judge Daunt encouraged the youth to think about the trauma he’s caused the victim’s family.

“I really do hope you get to follow your dream of being a productive member of society,” she said.

During Friday’s sentencing hearing, security camera footage of the incident was played for the court. Multiple members of the victim’s family were present and were visibly very emotional. Outside the courthouse Skye Pruden confessed to paNOW it was very difficult to watch.

“I picture it every time I wake up. You know my dad laying there, me crying. I remember everything,” she said.

Acknowledging the end of the court process provides some closure, she added she would have preferred the sentences be longer.

“The guys that did this should go to jail forever and rot in jail,” she said.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell