Donning blue hoodies that paid tribute to Alex Whitehead, over a dozen family members and friends gathered at the courthouse. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Alex Whitehead manslaughter case results in eight-year prison sentence

Jul 8, 2025 | 3:50 PM

Standing outside Prince Albert Provincial Court, surrounded by family members, Maria Whitehead was visibly emotional and struggled to find the words to describe her feelings.

Just moments prior, she learned the man responsible for the death of her son Alex, received an eight-year prison sentence for manslaughter. Richard Budd Jr. entered a guilty plea last April.

The typical range of sentencing for a conviction of this nature is four to 12 years.

“I’m just all over the place. I knew that it was coming and I’m OK with having that part done,” she said referring to a legal process that has lasted for nearly three-and-a-half years. “Like I said before, no sentence is going to bring back Alex.”

In the early morning hours of Jan 1. 2022, police were called to a house in Prince Albert’s midtown neighbourhood. Alex Whitehead, 20, was found in the kitchen lying in a pool of his own blood. He was later pronounced deceased in hospital.

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An autopsy determined the cause of death to be a stab wound to the chest area that penetrated Alex’s heart. A second person at the house was also stabbed but recovered.

Alex Whitehead was well known for his big smile and hugs. (Facebook)

According to the agreed statement of facts read by Crown prosecutor Shawn Blackman, between 50 and 60 people had gathered at the house for a New Year’s Eve Party.

Budd and his associates, known for their gang affiliations, were kicked out after causing a ruckus, however Budd later returned.

Whitehead, who was sleeping at the time, was awoken and alerted to what was happening. Known for his protective nature, he physically pushed Budd out the back door and the two engaged in a physical altercation. While on top of Budd, Whitehead was stabbed multiple times.

Budd fled the scene but was later found and arrested at a house less than a block away.

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 DNA evidence – a black Champion sweater containing both Budd’s DNA and Whitehead’s blood.

A thick line of yellow police tape was placed around the house where the offence occurred. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

In addition to the above mentioned charges, Budd’s lawyer also entered guilty pleas to assault (at the men’s jail), possession of a prohibited firearm, and failure to stop for police. These all stemmed from separate incidents in the 12 months after Whitehead’s death, and while Budd was out on bail.

His total sentence works out to about nine years, and with credit for pre-sentence custody he has about four years left to serve. Budd’s legal aid lawyer Tara Hetherington noted her client’s remorse.

“He makes no excuse for his actions,” she said, adding his desire to deal with his charges and move on to a different path.

As Budd is Indigenous, Gladue factors were considered for sentencing.

In Budd’s case, it was noted his mother attended a residential school and had incurred trauma resulting in addictions issues. His father had attended a boarding school and also incurred trauma.

Charmaine Poorman, Whitehead’s older sister, took exception to the Gladue factors being considered for sentencing, and noted her brother had a similar upbringing with an addict father and a mother who was not there because she was out working trying to provide for her family.

“[Alex] was working, he graduated school, he inspired children to do better for themselves and that’s what he was doing with my daughter. He was showing her a better life, a better thing to go forward for and all of that was taken from him,” Poorman said. “At the end of the day, Richard Budd had a choice to choose a different life, despite his parents’ upbringing and his upbringing, just the way Alex did for himself.”

Alex Whitehead. (Facebook)

Also part of Tuesday’s sentencing were five victim impact statements read by members of the Prince Albert Police Service Victims Services Unit.

The statements provided by Alex’s family members described a great loss and a massive toll on their mental health. Alex’s niece noted it was her uncle who taught her how to ride a bike and play video games.

“I wish it was me, not him,” she wrote.

Two of Alex’s former teachers also provided statements and described Alex’s big heart, kind nature and a leader who had a bright future.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell