(File photo/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Court decision

Ivor Wapass not eligible for parole for 15 years in Thunderchild First Nation case

Jun 27, 2022 | 5:10 PM

The man found guilty for a homicide on Thunderchild First Nation has been deemed not eligible for parole until he has served at least 15 years in prison.

Ivor Antoine Wapass, 47, was found guilty of second-degree murder in the Sept. 15, 2018 death of Roger Standingwater, 57, in a jury decision in February 2022. At that time, Justice A.R. Rothery pronounced a sentence of life in prison, in-line with Canadian law for the offence. Wapass was first arrested on Nov. 1, 2019.

At the Court of Queen’s Bench in Battleford Monday, the judge was to determine the length of time, from 10 to 25 years, before Wapass would be eligible for parole.

Crown Prosecutor Suzanne Reid suggested Wapass not be eligible for parole for 20 years, given the violent nature of the offence and Wapass’ related criminal record.

Victim impact statements from Standingwater’s family were also read.

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When Standingwater’s sister Elaine Baptiste spoke she said her brother didn’t deserve to die.

“I don’t think you realize the families you impacted,” she said.

Defence lawyer Jonathan Bodvarson recommended his client be eligible for parole after 10 years in prison. He addressed the Gladue factors in the case as mitigating factors, saying Wapass endured trauma growing up and later turned to alcohol to cope.

Bodvarson said his client will receive support in the future from the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Network, to help him with his issues.

When Wapass addressed the court, he spoke for over 30 minutes reading a prepared statement about his difficult upbringing, and his life.

One of Standingwater’s sisters walked out of the courtroom during his speech.

Wapass said he was not responsible for the offence.

“I’ve been wrongfully accused of something I didn’t do, but I do feel your pain,” he told Standingwater’s family. “My heart goes out to you.”

After making her decision, Rothery determined that Wapass would be eligible for parole after he has served 15 years of his sentence.

She told Wapass that in his speech to the court he “re-victimized the family,” adding that his words focused on himself only.

“He has not taken responsibility,” Rothery said, adding that he is also “a danger to society.”

Rothery said a lifetime in prison with no parole for 15 years is appropriate in the case.

Turtleford RCMP responded after receiving a report of an unresponsive man at a home on the Thunderchild First Nation on Sept. 15, 2018. When police arrived at the location, the victim Roger Standingwater, 57, was found in medical distress. Paramedics arrived shortly afterwards and pronounced Standingwater deceased.

The Crown argued during the trial that wrapped up on Feb. 10, 2022, that Standingwater died from his injuries after having his face stomped on during an assault at the time of the incident.

Following court on June 27, Crown Prosecutor Suzanne Reid said she is satisfied with the outcome of the judge’s decision.

“We had a jury of people who really carefully considered the evidence and came to a just verdict,” she said. “Madame Justice Rothery came to the appropriate decision on the parole eligibility. He is eligible for parole 15 years after he comes into custody. At that point he can apply for parole. That doesn’t necessarily mean that he is granted parole. He has been in custody since November of 2019.”

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW