Last August, Maureen Palagian held a photo of her brother, Trevor LaPlante, while standing outside Prince Albert Provincial Court. (Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Trevor LaPlante murder case committed for trial

Jun 23, 2025 | 4:03 PM

Moments after hearing a murder case was being greenlighted for trial, members of the victim’s family sitting in the gallery were observed hugging and shedding tears of happiness.

In relation to the death of Trevor LaPlante in July of last year, Michael Robert Bird stands accused of second-degree murder.

That was the outcome of a preliminary inquiry hearing at provincial court, which wrapped up Monday and acted as a sort of pre-trial screening process.

Throughout the nearly hour-long hearing, Bird sat in the prisoner’s box and stared ahead. He showed no emotion when the decision was read.

Trevor LaPlante was well known for his work ethic and unforgettable smile.

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Due to a publication ban, none of the evidence heard during the three-day hearing in March or Judge Schiefner’s reasons for committal can be released.

The trial will take place at Court of King’s Bench. No dates have been set at this time, and the next pre-trial conference date is on Friday.

LaPlante was 52 when he was killed on July 22, 2024, and was a well-known sports fan in the community and a longtime McDonald’s employee.

His body was found in a shopping cart, and Bird was arrested the following day.

Bird previously pleaded not guilty to offering an indignity to human remains, but cannot enter a plea to the murder charge as that has to be done at King’s Bench, where he also has a pending trial for an unrelated sexual assault.

Through court records, paNOW learned the offence involved a woman and dated back to July 1, 2024, which was roughly three weeks before LaPlante was found dead.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social