Alex Whitehead died in 2022 following an incident at a social gathering in Prince Albert. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Crime

Guilty pleas entered in Prince Albert manslaughter case

Apr 30, 2025 | 1:09 PM

Maria Whitehead is expressing feelings of relief and happiness.

The grieving mother was at Prince Albert Provincial Court on Wednesday and with respect to her son’s death over three years ago, heard a number of guilty pleas being entered.

Richard Budd, the man responsible for shooting Alex Whitehead, has taken responsibility for committing manslaughter. Guilty pleas were also entered to aggravated assault and relates to another person who was injured during the New Year’s Eve Party in 2022.

“I’m just happy it’s moving forward. You know I’m never gonna get my son back, doesn’t matter what kind of sentencing happens,” Maria said.

On the morning of the incident, 20-year-old Alex Whitehead was found at a house in the city’s midtown area, suffering from life-threatening injuries. He later passed away in hospital. According to a statement at the time from police, officers responded to a complaint of a weapons discharge.

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People who were at the party told paNOW Budd was among a number of people asked to leave due to their gang affiliations.

While a charge of second degree murder was initially laid, a preliminary inquiry hearing held in January 2023 determined manslaughter was a better fit for trial.

However due to issues with finding witnesses able to identify Budd, that charge was stayed by the Crown the following March. It was then brought back in February of last year when investigators uncovered new evidence.

Maria noted Budd’s guilty plea signifies she won’t have to sit through another preliminary inquiry hearing or a trial.

In addition to the above mentioned charges, Budd’s lawyer also entered guilty pleas to dangerous driving, possession of a prohibited firearm and failure to stop for police. These all stemmed from separate incidents.

Sentencing on all matters has been scheduled for July 8.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell