REGINA — Appearing on a long list of charges including death threats, Sharon Desjarlais, 55, appeared in Regina Provincial Court on May 9.
Several older matters from 2020 were dealt with, the earliest in time occurring on June 26, 2020. Court heard that police were called to the Piapot First Nation’s Band Office for a call of the accused threatening to kill an individual there. It was also alleged that she later threatened to kill everyone in the office. RCMP discovered the accused walking around the parking lot at the band office. The basis of the reaction was the accused apparently not receiving a requested $200 she intended to use to visit family in Winnipeg. Denying the request caused her to become “irate”.
Court also heard that on July 3, 2020 at approximately 4:20 a.m., Desjarlais was allegedly observed pounding her fists on the hood of a vehicle in Regina. Police noted signs of intoxication while arresting the accused, and damage to the car (a dent and scratches) was estimated at $500.
Another mischief allegation occurred on July 31, 2020 when Desjarlais gained access to a residence through a boarded-up window on the 1300 block of King Street. She had previously been a tenant at the residence, but was evicted at some point, the Court learned.
Another incident presented to the Court occurred on Sept. 15, 2020 when Desjarlais had been walking along 11th Avenue near Broad Street. A confrontation occurred, which police observed. They also saw Desjarlais holding a knife in front of her, pointing towards the group. When arrested, she threw the approximately three-inch knife into the street.
The charge that brought Desjarlais before the court was a further incidence of mischief that took place on May 3 when she had attended a fast food restaurant and became agitated while waiting for her order. Upon leaving the establishment, she threw a rock at the exterior of the building while yelling profanities. The action caused a dent to the side of the building.
Desjarlais entered guilty pleas to the charges of uttering threats to cause death, three counts of mischief, failure to attend court, and possession of a folding knife dangerous to the public peace. A number of other charges before Dejarlais were stayed by the Crown in light of guilty pleas to the greater offences.
A joint submission proposed by the Crown and defense sought a 60-day global sentence on all charges. Giving credit for 11 days enhanced remand time, Desjarlais has 49 days remaining. Judge M.T. Beaton accepted the proposed submission, which will also be followed by a 15-month probation order with conditions including not going to the fast food restaurant where the May 3 incident occurred, no contact with a named individual, and a prohibition against knives (except for culinary and employment purposes). Judge Beaton waived the Victim Fine Surcharge, but did order Dejarlais to pay the $500 in restitution for the damaged car.
While the Crown initially stated that Desjarlais ought to not attend the Piapot Band Office, Judge Beaton rescinded that particular condition; noting that as a member of the First Nation, it’s an “important institution at Piapot that perhaps you’d have to go to.”
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