MOOSOMIN — In Moosomin provincial court Tuesday, the release conditions were amended for Don Bleau, who is facing several charges including attempted murder after an incident September 29 in Moosomin.
Bleau was initially held in custody, and now is on a 24-hours-a-day curfew on a farm in the Coronach area. He was released December 20 by Court of Queen’s Bench on $5,000 cash bail, and the initial plan was to electronically monitor Bleau.
In court Tuesday, the conditions were amended to 24-hour curfew on the farm at Coronach in place of electronic monitoring, as there were technical issues that made electronic monitoring difficult at that location.
“The first condition that we are seeking to amend is the condition regarding the electronic monitoring,” Bleau’s lawyer told the court Tuesday.
“Specifically we’re seeking to have the condition which states ‘enrol in electronic monitoring and comply with electronic monitoring rules as told to do so by your probation officer.’ We’re Looking to have that removed and replaced with a 24 hour curfew. The reason for this is that we were informed by a supervisor for the Ministry of Corrections and Public Safety and Policing that there are issues with installing this electronic monitor. It just has to do with issues of the landline and it doesn’t seem like it’s possible to install it at their residence. So instead we’re looking to have the 24-hour curfew be implemented and have the terms of the curfew be read as follows: Stay at the residence or property of Rodney Clark and Jackie Clark 24 hours a day located at . . . Coronach, Saskatchewan including any farm buildings or workshops and not leave that property without prior written permission of your bail supervisor.”
Bleau has several conditions on his release, including remaining at the Coronach site 24 hours a day, not posessing any alcohol or other drugs, not possessing any weapons, not having any contact with certain people.
At the request of his lawyer, his case was adjourned to be heard March 15 in Moosomin provincial court. His lawyer is reviewing disclosure from the Crown on the charges against Bleau.
Details of the incident
Shortly after 9 pm September 29, Moosomin RCMP received multiple complaints of a man driving a truck around the town of Moosomin “in a reckless manner.”
Police say that, as officers were en route to respond to those calls, they were flagged down by a person who reported to have been assaulted by Bleau
The individual indicated that Bleau had rammed their vehicle with his truck before leaving the scene.
As RCMP officers drove through town, they located the truck outside of Moosomin Towing and Auto Service. Police say Bleau left the business and pointed a weapon in the direction of police.
Police say Bleau walked across the street towards a house, and shouted threats toward the police and Rob Austin, who had come out from the house.
Police say Bleau then discharged a crossbow in the direction of Austin, who was not struck or injured by the arrow.
One arrow fired from the crossbow stuck in the wall of Rob and Maggie Austin’s home on the corner of Ellice and South Front Street.
A second arrow hit the Austins’ dog, who ran off with the arrow in him. The dog, Sunny, was found the following day after a search involving dozens of volunteers, and taken for veterinary care.
According to police, Bleau got back into his truck after firing the crossbow, left and then drove back again to the same house, damaging multiple vehicles and other property.
Police say Bleau then drove towards one of the officers on scene. The officer was able to avoid being struck by Bleau’s truck. The truck then crashed into a boulevard, disabling it.
Bleau left the truck and was arrested. One of the officers and Bleau received what were described as minor injuries.
A crossbow was seized by police at the scene.
Charges
Bleau was charged with:
• Attempted murder, Section 239(1)(b) of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Assault, Section 266, Criminal Code of Canada
• Committing assault by using or threatening to use a weapon, Section 267(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Assaulting a peace officer, Section 270(2) of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Uttering threats to cause bodily harm, Section 264.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Resisting arrest, Section 129(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Operating a conveyance in a manner dangerous to the public, Section 320.13(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Operating a conveyance while impaired by alcohol, Section 320.14(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Possessing weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public, Section 88(2) of the Criminal Code of Canada
• 6 counts of committing mischief exceeding $5,000, Section 430(3) of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Commiting assault by pointing a weapon, Section 267(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada
• Possessing a firearm without a licence to possess it, Section 91(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada
