Pelican Narrows man still barred from community: Judge

Oct 2, 2017 | 8:04 PM

A Pelican Narrows man who wanted his probation conditions amended to allow him to return to his home community had his request denied yesterday by a Prince Albert Judge.

Dawson Raymond Michel, 24, is set to be released from custody and begin roughly five months’ probation Oct. 8. Defence lawyer Rebecca Crookshanks asked the court to amend his probation conditions before they begin in order to allow Michel to return to his home community. Crookshanks argued probation is meant to be rehabilitative, and said Michel has nowhere to stay and no family support except in Pelican Narrows.

“He’s left with Pelican Narrows as his only option,” Crookshanks said. “It’s not a reasonable condition.”

Crown Prosecutor Cameron Scott argued against striking the condition. Scott said the probation resulted from an incident involving a spousal assault, and said the condition applied to the entire community in order to protect the victim from further violence. The fact Michel had “burned all bridges” in other communities should not impact the measures taken for the victim’s safety, Scott said.

Judge Gerald Morin said he knew Michel from several previous dealings and saw a lot of potential in the young man. Morin said Michel has “a following” in Pelican Narrows, which has pushed him towards trouble on several occasions in the past.

“Your presence in that community has caused a lot of concern,” Morin said.

Morin said he has seen 17 murders in Pelican Narrows since he started counting in 2006, and said he would be “afraid” to allow Michel to return. The young man, Morin said, will have to find the resources to succeed in another community.

“You have always done alright outside of Pelican Narrows,” Morin said. “I’m denying the application. You can make it elsewhere.”

 

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews