Accused granted bail in Beauval manslaughter case

Nov 29, 2017 | 6:00 PM

A young man accused of manslaughter was released on bail today by a Prince Albert judge, following a hearing in provincial court.

Braydon McCallum, a 21-year-old resident of Beauval, was charged with manslaughter in connection with the death of 19-year-old Darren Buffin. RCMP said they were called to a local residence in the early hours of March 31, where they found Buffin suffering serious injuries. The 19-year-old was taken to hospital in Île-à-la-Crosse and later transferred Saskatoon, RCMP said, but succumbed to his injuries and died April 9.

McCallum was initially charged with assault, but following Buffin’s death the assault allegation was replaced with a charge of manslaughter.

The young man was initially released on an undertaking to appear, but soon found himself in custody again facing new allegations that he had breached his release conditions on three occasions.

The details of the evidence and arguments presented at McCallum’s bail hearing cannot be printed due to a publication ban, but he was released from custody once again at the conclusion. Judge Earl Kalenith imposed several strict conditions, which prohibit the McCallum from possessing weapons, drugs or alcohol. He will also be required to abide by a curfew, and cannot come within 100 km of the community of Beauval except to attend court.

McCallum will be back in court Feb. 6 in Beauval for a preliminary hearing. The allegations against him have not been tested before the courts, and he is presumed innocent at this stage.

 

Taylor.macpherson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @TMacPhersonNews