Trevor Ballantyne's family stands on the steps of Court of King's Bench. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

‘He can’t be replaced’; Ballantyne death results in 8 year sentence

Sep 11, 2025 | 4:00 PM

Wiping away tears, Trisha Badger says no sentence will ever be enough.

The mother of two children made the comment outside Court of King’s Bench on Thursday after hearing the man responsible for her former partner’s death received an eight year prison sentence.

Devon Bird, 31, who was initially charged with second degree murder and scheduled to face trial, instead entered a guilty plea to manslaughter.

The case dates back to the morning of Oct. 6, 2023, when Prince Albert Police were called to the Rivercrest Apartment building, for a complaint of a deceased person. That’s where they found Trevor Ballantyne.

According to facts read in court by Crown Prosecutor Jeff Summach, Bird had held a social gathering. In the early morning hours, while drunk and high on drugs, he asked everyone to leave but Ballantyne stayed behind.

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“He expressed he had no where else to go,” read Summach.

An altercation took place between the two men, and using a table leg, Bird proceeded to strike Ballantyne once in the head. Ballantyne fell to the floor and believing his friend was merely unconscious, Bird went for a walk to cool off.

This picture showing Bird and Ballantyne together, was posted to social media just hours before Ballantyne’s death. (Facebook)

Upon returning to the apartment Bird discovered Ballantyne’s lifeless body. He then covered the body with tobacco and proceeded to go to the police station where he turned himself in.

“He was weeping when he told police what he had done,” Summach explained.

As part of Thursday’s sentencing hearing, three victim impact statements were read in court by a representative of the Prince Albert Police Service Victim’s Services Unit.

Nora Ballantyne wrote her life has been affected emotionally and mentally, and explained on the day of her son’s death she was also celebrating her wedding anniversary. Within the past year, Nora’s husband had passed away from cancer.

“My anniversary is also my son’s death date,” she said.

Trisha Badge noted issues with anxiety and depression and said her two children have to grow up without a father.

“They will never be able to tell their dad or show him who they’ve become,” she said. “And he can’t be replaced.”

Defence lawyer Michelle Caron noted that at the time of the incident, Bird was dealing with a number off personal issues that included breaking up with his girlfriend and facing eviction from his apartment.

“It was a difficult time emotionally for Mr.Bird,” she said.

Caron also stated Bird, a treaty member of Montreal Lake Cree Nation, has some serious Gladue factors including his apprehension at a very young age and spending many years in the foster system. Despite those challenges though, he had been doing well and for the past ten years, was working as a cook.

When provided the opportunity in court to speak, Bird rose in the prisoner’s box and addressed the nearly dozen members of Ballantyne’s family who were sitting in the gallery.

‘I just wanna say I’m sorry for my actions. That’s all I can think of right now,” he said.

Bird’s kokum was also present in the courtroom and told paNOW Bird’s actions were very out of character for him and represents the intergenerational trauma caused by the residential school system and 60’s scoop.

With credit for time spent in remand, Bird has roughly five years left to serve. Upon his release he will then be subject to a 10 year firearm prohibition.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell