Riley Primeau was sentenced on Tuesday at Court of King's Bench in Prince Albert. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

‘Today was justice’: man charged in death of Byron Bear, receives 8-year sentence

Feb 27, 2024 | 3:54 PM

Shirley Bear fought back tears as she told a crowded courtroom on Tuesday the last words she heard from her son were ‘I love you, mom.’

The grieving mother made the comment while reading from a victim impact statement.

Riley Primeau, one of five men charged in the death of Byron Lee Bear, was sentenced at Court of King’s Bench to a term of eight years. While initially charged with second degree murder, a guilty plea was entered to a lesser offence of manslaughter.

“No words can express how much I miss my son,” Shirley read, while also noting her son leaves behind a daughter.

“She’ll never see her dad again.”

BDO Debt Solutions

Deck the Halls Without Breaking the Bank: Tips for a Budget-Friendly Holiday

3h ago

RPCN Artist

'Felt like a movie': Chris Chipak making waves in the art world

3h ago

MMA

"The Lion" roars in New Brunswick

4h ago

Byron Bear. (Facebook)

The case dates back to the early morning hours of Dec. 6, 2021. According to facts read in court by Crown Prosecutor Shawn Blackman, Primeau was one of several people at a midtown area residence and they expected someone to show up and cause trouble.

Bear was in turn was one of several people to show up and after breaking the window of a parked Mercedes, poured gasoline inside the vehicle. Moments later, several people exited the home and Bear was shot in the head and died.

While Primeau was not the one to shoot Bear, he was still considered a party to the offence and had been armed with his own gun, which he fired into the air.

After Bear was shot, his body was then tossed into the trunk of the parked Mercedes and it was driven to a remote location south of Rosthern. The vehicle was later found in Saskatoon and there was a blood stain where Bear’s body had been. Shirley, who had reported her son missing, noted it was 63 days before she found out what happened to him.

“He didn’t deserve to die. Be killed in that way,” she said.

Primeau reserved comment, but through his lawyer Julia Quigley, apologized to the victim’s family, and expressed a desire to take back what had happened.

“He’s deeply sorry for what happened,” Quigley said.

She also explained her client, who has no prior criminal record, and while out on bail had mentored youth about addictions. She said he was caught up in a dispute between one of his friends and a friend of the victim.

Noting Primeau is also a father, Quigley said upon release he plans to start a new life away from Prince Albert.

After the sentencing hearing, Shirley went to the address where her son was killed and a number of candles. She also gifted him with a smoke. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Tuesday’s sentence represented a joint submission from lawyers and was accepted by Justice C.D. Clackson. With credit for time spent in remand, Primeau has roughly six and a half years left to serve.

Upon his release, he will be prohibited for life from owning or possessing any guns, ammunition or explosives. A recommendation was also made for Primeau to serve a portion of his sentence at a healing lodge.

Outside the courthouse, Shirley Bear told paNOW she was satisfied with the sentence.

“I was seeking justice and today was justice and I’m thankful for that as a mother and for all the prayers that were said.”

Primeau represents the first of the accused to be sentenced and the others are awaiting trial dates. During her statement in court, Shirley said she forgave the people responsible, which she also later acknowledged was a very difficult thing to do.

“When I learn to carry and believe in my faith, forgiveness is part of that faith so I had to forgive those people for what they did to my son,” she said.

Shirley also noted her son encouraged his daughter to play sports, and she is now playing hockey.

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell