In early Jan. 2020, Tyson Lafonde was attacked at the men's jail in Prince Albert. He passed away a year later. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Resolution

Violent assault at men’s jail, results in 6.5 year sentence

Jan 28, 2025 | 3:00 PM

Sitting inside the prisoner’s box at Court of King’s Bench in Prince Albert, a man involved in a violent three-on-one assault at the men’s correctional institution that resulted a year later in a man’s death, told his victim’s family he was sorry and that he takes full responsibility for his actions.

Kyle Thurston Bear, 33, received a 6.5 year sentence for the actions that caused the death of Tyson Lafonde in February 2021. Tuesday morning’s hearing at Court of King’s Bench, follows a guilty plea to manslaughter that was previously entered in October, 2023.

Delays in sentencing were attributed to a failed attempt by Bear to have his plea expunged, as well as the dismissal of his original lawyer. With credit for time spent on remand, he has roughly 3.5 years left to serve.

“I accept what I’m getting,” he told the court, when provided the opportunity to speak.

On Jan. 16, 2020, Tyson Lafonde, having just returned to his cell after making himself a sandwich, was greeted by three men. One of those men, Kyle Bear, had been seen earlier putting on black rubber gloves.

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The assault itself lasted about a minute, and when Lafonde was found by staff, he had a large deep gash on his right eyebrow and there was also an indentation on his head, roughly the size of a fist.

There was also blood on both the floor and the wall of the cell.

Tyson Lafonde’s obituary picture. (Beau Lac Funeral Home)

Lafonde, who suffered a significant head injury as well as facial lacerations, was initially transported by ambulance to hospital in Prince Albert, before being transferred to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon.

A few days later he underwent an operation to relieve pressure on the brain. The following week, he received a tracheotomy due to his difficulties breathing.

In March 2020, Lafonde was transferred back to Prince Albert and subsequently stayed at the Herb Bassett care home. At this time he required 24-hour care as he was unable to feed himself, walk, and had very minimal communication.

The following February, after being informed by doctors that the prognosis going forward was not good, Lafonde’s family made the painful decision to take him off life support and on Feb. 15, 2021, he passed away.

The autopsy ruled the official cause of death to be pneumonia, with the head injury listed as an underlying factor.

A picture taken of Kyle Bear after the plea was entered. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Acknowledging the members of Lafonde’s family who were sitting in court, Crown Prosecutor Mary Ann Larson, also noted the fact they had also previously sat through an entire trial for one of the co-accused.

“His family has been through a lot,” she said.

And while stating the assault on Lafonde was planned and deliberate, Larson added there was no evidence of gang involvement and there was no weapon used.

Defence lawyer Chris Koban submitted a written statement outlining Bears’s Gladue factors, and explained his client, who was concerned for his safety at Sask Pen, wished to be transferred.

Koban did note multi-generational family breakdown and substance abuse.

Also a part of Tuesday’s sentencing hearing were victim impact statements read by both family members and the Crown. Respecting the family’s request for privacy, paNOW has agreed not to publish or discuss what was said.

Justice G.A. Meschishnick did however acknowledge the family’s courage and thanked them for the statements.

“It is important for both the court and Mr. Bear,” he said. “I can only hope these statements will help Mr. Bear gain some insight into his actions.”

Also charged in the case were Bruce Allan Napope and George Samuel Custer. Following trial, Napope was found not guilty and the charge against Custer was stayed.

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell