Spouse of shooting victim receives prison sentence

“He didn’t remember how he got shot,” Alexander said, adding the house belonged to the teen’s half sister. “He had been at her place drinking alcohol, using marijuana, and also using crystal meth.”

A photo taken by a witness at the time of the incident. (Submitted photo)

Alexander then went on to explain a gun was fired in the basement and not soon after Brandon Corrigal and Wesley Lachance emerged from the residence, carrying Bird to a car outside and placed her in the front passenger seat. Not wanting to get involved, the owner of the car gave the men permission to take her car, and the trio then left, and ended up on Highway 2 north heading towards Prince Albert. Upon pursuit from RCMP, a sawed-off shotgun was tossed out the window and was found lying on the road, with one live shell still inside.

Further south the driver eventually pulled over and the two men attempted to flee on foot. Bird was found in the car by police, and despite their best efforts to revive her, passed away soon after. Corrigal was found walking across a slough at a nearby abandoned farm yard, and his father Wesley Lachance was found hiding in a car port on the same property.

Crown submissions

Lachance has been in custody since the time of the incident, equalling about 657 days. Noting the seriousness of the incident and Lachance’s extensive criminal record, Alexander was asking for a sentence of three and a half years plus two years probation.

“It’s a gun fight inside a small residence, a duplex, and it all happens mid-morning,” Alexander said, adding there was no evidence to suggest Lachance was concerned about anyone but himself.

“He does it really to flee, this is not a situation where he is seeking help for any of the occupants of that vehicle including Miss Bird. He doesn’t try calling 911, he doesn’t call an ambulance,” she said. “This isn’t a situation where Mr. Lachance is in a vehicle, perhaps late at night, it’s dark and he at some point realizes there is a prohibited firearm at his feet.”

Alexander also discussed Lachance’s extensive criminal record which she said included a number of driving related charges, as well as a number of federal sentences for aggravated assault and robbery. In regard to the death of Trina Bird, Alexander explained everyone has been “left in the dark” why the three individuals were there, beyond evidence suggesting there was drug use going on at the residence.

Trina Bird. (Facebook)

Defence submissions

During his submission, defence lawyer Garth Bendig was able to shed some more light with regard to what transpired at the home. He said from all indications the defence’s theory is that the people in that residence were set to rob Mr. Lachance’s group. Bendig went on to explain there was some indication Bird was there to sell drugs to the gang members in the basement, and then things took a bad turn.

“Mr. Corrigal went into the basement to investigate, and then recognized there was a danger, began to retreat, was swarmed, and then shots were exchanged,” Bendig said.

While it was Corrigal who shot the teenage boy, Bendig explained it remained unclear how exactly Bird was fatally injured, explaining that there was just one discharge from the gun later found on the highway.

“And that struck the individual that was in that home wearing a mask. Miss Bird was struck by a projectile that was fired from the basement,” he said.

Bendig, who suggested a sentence of time served, explained he was challenged to come up with an appropriate sentence, given Lachance’s minimal involvement, while also acknowledging the seriousness of the incident.

“There was no indication or suggestion Mr. Lachance personally had possession of that firearm or any firearm throughout the entire events,” he said.

Also noting his client’s great remorse, Bending explained Lachance was placed in a difficult situation.

“I don’t know if he had any other choice in those circumstances from what happened at that home with shots being exchanged and his spouse being mortally wounded, but to jump into that car while shots are being shot at them, to escape that situation,” he said.

During the proceedings Lachance sat in the prisoner’s box with his head down and when asked by Justice L.W. Zuk if he would like to say anything, replied “no sir.”

The decision

Referring to the events on Nov. 17, 2018, as “senseless,” and “tragic,” Justice Zuk ultimately sentenced Lachance to three and a half years, plus two years probation. While acknowledging Lachance’s personal loss, and the guilty plea that was entered, Zuk also noted Lachance ‘s significant record, and explained a sentence must reflect both denunciation and deterrence.

“It is extremely regrettable that a father, son, and common law spouse were all involved in the apparent sale of drugs,” he said.

With credit for time spent in custody, Lachance has roughly nine months remaining on his sentence. Lachance’s son was sentenced last February and received two years for his involvement.

Meanwhile the person responsible for Trina Bird’s death has never been charged, and a spokesperson for the RCMP confirmed for paNOW the file remains under investigation.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Spouse of shooting victim receives prison sentence

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