‘It’s not gonna bring my son back’: Fox sentenced for 2023 murder of Bearsears

Bearsears’ body was found Oct. 16, 2023, in a rural area on Poundmaker Cree Nation. His truck was later found abandoned at the Little Pine transfer station. Fox and Checkosis then walked across an open field to a nearby residence and the gun was later found near Fox’s home.

Crown prosecutor Oryn Holm characterized the killing as an act of vigilante justice connected to a sexual assault charge Bearsears was facing after an allegation involving Fox’s niece.

Bearsears denied the allegation and pleaded not guilty, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 2024. Wempe found during the trial that Fox had learned about the allegation before the killing and that it provided a motive.

“It’s just all over a little lie,” Bearsears’ mother said after the sentencing, referring to the allegations. “It should have been handled better; they should have just talked it over… but it is what it is. I hope now my son can rest.”

At the end of August, defence lawyer Pamela Wayman argued that the minimum 10-year parole-ineligibility period would be appropriate, asking Wempe to consider Fox’s personal and Indigenous background alongside the seriousness of the offence.

Court heard about the intergenerational effects of residential schools in Fox’s family, periods he spent in foster care, childhood abuse and early exposure to substance use. The defence also pointed to his family relationships, cultural and spiritual connections, and opportunities for treatment and programming while in federal custody.

“I’m glad it’s over, that we have closure now,” said Bearsears’ mother.

“I went into a deep depression, but for him, I’m gonna come out of it. I am going to continue fighting for the missing and murdered Indigenous people, like him.”

-with files from battlefordsNOW’s Kenneth Cheung

—

alyssa.rudolph@pattisonmedia.com

by Alyssa Rudolph

‘It’s not gonna bring my son back’: Fox sentenced for 2023 murder of Bearsears

What's Trending