Taypotat sorry for ‘stupidity and selfish ways’ in death of conservation officer

Mounties had received a call of a speeding, erractic vehicle driven by Taypotat heading toward the scene. An RCMP officer approached a vehicle matching the description, but the SUV sped off and hit Knackstedt who died at the scene.

Officers on scene said Knackstedt was hit by Taypotat who was driving between 96 to 115 kilometres per hour. Knackstedt was propelled 130 feet into the ditch.

The SUV kept going until it rolled into the ditch at the Highway 11 and Highway 16 overpass near Circle Drive. Taypotat’s blood alcohol level was .252. Taypotat had also been involved in a hit and run in Regina, where he was travelling from, before heading out on Highway 11 that day.

The Crown argued Wednesday for a 10-year sentence, explaining how witnesses saw the black SUV speeding, cutting off cars after hitting Knackstedt at the road block. The defence argued for and eight- year sentence less 33 months for time spent on remand.

Taypotat was scheduled to be sentenced in January but a three-month delay was meant to allow for a special report used in the sentencing of aboriginal offenders.

The reports can be used ahead of bail hearings and sentencings in cases with an aboriginal defendant. They are meant to encourage community-based alternatives to prison. Judges do have discretion to overlook the reports if they deem the offence serious enough.

The defence argued that Taypotat was drinking for days to cope with the murder of his cousin leading up to the manslaughter of Knackstedt. The Crown argued that alcoholism does not explain Taypotat’s actions that day.

The defence also said Taypotat told officers, “let me die, it should have been me” when he was arrested.

In the courtroom Knackstedt’s father read his victim impact statement, saying his “family is broken.” Knackstedt’s mother wrote about how her son loved his job and that “he may as well put a target on his back” when he put on his uniform that day.

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by CKOM Staff

Taypotat sorry for ‘stupidity and selfish ways’ in death of conservation officer

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