(File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Thunderchild First Nation case

Wapass defence counsel seeking Gladue report before parole decision

Mar 2, 2022 | 1:15 PM

The defence counsel for Ivor Antoine Wapass advised the Court of Queen’s Bench in Battleford Wednesday his client wishes to submit a Gladue report, which takes into account the circumstances of an Indigenous offender’s life before a decision on parole eligibility is made.

Wapass, 47, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Roger Standingwater on Feb. 12 following a jury trial. Justice A.R. Rothery pronounced a sentence of life in prison for the offender at that time.

The judge was expected to determine the length of time, from 10 to 25 years, before Wapass would be eligible for parole on Wednesday. But now that the defence is seeking a Gladue report the sentencing hearing has been adjourned to June 27 instead. The victim impact statements will also be presented then.

Defence lawyer Jonathan Bodvarson noted Crown Prosecutor Suzanne Reid recommended Wapass not be eligible for parole until 20 years has been served, much higher than the 10-year minimum.

“The Crown’s position is of a sufficient number above the 10 that there is some concern of liability for my client,” he said.

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Bodvarson said his client believes it would be relevant to factor in Gladue circumstances when deciding parole eligibility as Wapass is Indigenous, experienced trauma growing up and attended residential school as a child.

Turtleford RCMP responded after receiving a report of an unresponsive male at a home on the Thunderchild First Nation on Sept. 15, 2018. When police arrived at the location, Roger Standingwater was found in medical distress. EMS personnel arrived shortly afterwards and pronounced Standingwater deceased.

Following court Wednesday, Crown Prosecutor Suzanne Reid said it is not unusual for a Gladue report to be requested at any time in the court process.

“A Gladue report is very important when it comes to sentencing Aboriginal offenders,” she said. “It’s important information for the court to have. So it does happen, and it is certainly appropriate in this instance.”

While typically an adjournment for a Gladue report would take place during the time closing arguments are presented in a trial, Reid said that is not always the case.

“Mr. Bodvarson was clearly of the view he had the information he needed. But having done some further inquiries feels that he does need more information,” she said. “There is a significant discrepancy between what the Crown is seeking and the defence. So it’s important that the court have all the information they need.”

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow