Sask. police officer on trial for negligence over in-custody death has charges stayed
A Saskatchewan police officer who faced criminal charges in connection with a man’s in-custody death will not be going to trial — the Crown has opted to stay the charges.
Thirty-three-year-old Saul Laliberte was found unresponsive in his cell in the Prince Albert police detention on November 7, 2021. A paramedic on shift provided care prior to the arrival of an ambulance. He was pronounced dead at Victoria Hospital.
The officer responsible for his care, Sgt. Tyson Morash, was charged with criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessities of life two years later, based on a recommendation from the Crown.
In an email on Monday, a Ministry of Justice spokesperson told CTV News the Crown has opted to stay the charges after a period of review.
“To move forward with a prosecution, Public Prosecutions must be satisfied that there is a reasonable likelihood of conviction and that it is in the public interest to continue with a prosecution,” the ministry said.
“After careful consideration, it was determined this case no longer met the prosecution standard. Given this assessment, the prosecutor directed a stay of proceedings.”
The Crown has the option of resuming the criminal proceedings within a one-year window, after which the charges are effectively dropped.
Morash’s charges came at a time when policing in Prince Albert was under heavy scrutiny. The Ministry of Justice hired a third-party consultant to review the police service’s processes amidst growing public outrage and allegations of misconduct.
A damning report released earlier that year found two officers failed to adequately protect an infant boy who later died, and should face discipline. Former Police Chief Jonathan Bergen resigned the same day the report was released.
Now, with the charges stayed, Laliberte’s mother, Amelia Bloomfield, may never get the chance to hear the details that led to her son's death.
Police say Laliberte was in custody after turning himself in for several outstanding warrants
-With files from Laura Woodward
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Much of Canada is under a weather alert this weekend: here's what to know
From snow, to high winds, to extreme cold, much of Canada is under a severe weather alert this weekend. Here's what to expect in your region.
'I gave them a call, they didn't pick up': Canadian furniture store appears to have gone out of business
Canadian furniture company Wazo Furniture, which has locations in Toronto and Montreal, appears to have gone out of business. CTV News Toronto has been hearing from customers who were shocked to find out after paying in advance for orders over the past few months.
Man injured in Longueuil home invasion in the presence of a child
A Longueuil resident was injured during a home invasion early Saturday morning in the presence of a child.
Jeff Baena, writer, director and husband of Aubrey Plaza, dead at 47
Jeff Baena, a writer and director whose credits include 'Life After Beth' and 'The Little Hours,' has died, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Hundreds of animals killed in Dallas shopping centre fire
A fire that broke out at a shopping center in Dallas on Friday morning killed more than 500 animals, most of which were small birds, authorities said.
Fugitive U.S. rioter seeks asylum in Whistler amid warnings of more to come
An American citizen convicted of participating in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on Capitol Hill and dodging jail time in Whistler may just be the start of an asylum-seeking rush, according to a prominent legal expert.
Thirty years on, is Quebec headed for another independence referendum?
On the eve of the 30th anniversary of Quebec's second independence referendum -- the first one was in 1980 -- it seems the tide could be turning again. Legault is deeply unpopular after six years in power, and the Parti Quebecois, with a young, charismatic leader, has been ahead in the polls for more than a year.
Pope Francis says bullying at school prepares students for war, not peace
Pope Francis warned that bullying in schools prepares students for war, not peace, in a speech to Catholic educators gathered at the Vatican on Saturday.
Soldier who died by suicide in Las Vegas told ex-girlfriend of pain and exhaustion after Afghanistan
The highly decorated Special Forces soldier who died by suicide in a Cybertruck explosion on New Year's Day confided to a former girlfriend who had served as an Army nurse that he faced significant pain and exhaustion that she says were key symptoms of traumatic brain injury.
Regina
-
Regina woman turns to social media to find donor match for kidney transplant
A Regina woman currently waiting for a kidney transplant is now seeking a donor through a social media post.
-
Sask. RCMP investigating woman's death on Piapot First Nation
Saskatchewan RCMP says it is investigating the death of a 30-year-old woman on Piapot First Nation as suspicious in nature.
-
SaskAbilites Yorkton enhances relaxation room
SaskAbilities Yorkton has enhanced their relaxation room to help people with disabilities experience a more comfortable and calming environment.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba's top baby names for 2024
Manitoba’s top baby names remained mostly unchanged for 2024, though some new contenders made their way into the top 10.
-
Police search for suspects in attempted armoured vehicle robbery outside Winnipeg bank
Winnipeg police are searching for three suspects who allegedly tried to rob an armoured vehicle parked outside a bank.
-
Neighbours evacuated following 2 vacant building fires
Some people were temporarily evacuated overnight after fires broke out at two vacant properties.
Edmonton
-
'Flames were shooting higher than the garage': Block heater cords cause 2 fires in 2 days in Edmonton
Peter Claffey was shocked Thursday morning to find his truck in flames outside his southwest Edmonton home.
-
Homicide investigation underway after woman found dead on Edmonton riverbank
Police have identified a woman who was recently found dead on the shore of the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton.
-
Draisaitl happy to net winner, but unhappy with his game
Leon Draisaitl thought he had a stinker of a game, even if he did come out smelling like a rose at the end.
Calgary
-
Community grieves as one at vigil for Calgary double homicide victims
They braved the cold to pay tribute to a Calgary mother of three and her father, killed just days after Christmas.
-
Extreme cold warnings expanded across country; snowfall warnings remain for southern Alberta
A persistent weather pattern is funnelling arctic air across the Prairies, which forced Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to issue extreme cold warnings late Thursday.
-
Calgary police seek public assistance to locate man wanted on warrants for assault and uttering threats
Calgary police are asking for public assistance to locate a man wanted on warrants for assault and uttering threats.
Lethbridge
-
Third person charged with first-degree murder in Lethbridge motel death turns herself in: police
A third person who was charged with first-degree murder after a woman was found dead in a Lethbridge motel room over the weekend.
-
Businesses see influx of customers working on New Year's resolutions
Marketing research company Sago estimates about 43 per cent of Canadians will make a New Year's resolution.
-
2 charged with first-degree murder in Lethbridge motel death
Lethbridge Police have charged two people with first-degree murder, after a body was found in a southside motel room last weekend.
Toronto
-
Up to 40 centimetres of snow expected for parts of southern Ontario as snow squall warnings remain in effect
Snow squall warnings in southern Ontario remain in effect Saturday, with as much 40 centimetres of snow expected to fall for parts of the province this weekend.
-
'I gave them a call, they didn't pick up': Canadian furniture store appears to have gone out of business
Canadian furniture company Wazo Furniture, which has locations in Toronto and Montreal, appears to have gone out of business. CTV News Toronto has been hearing from customers who were shocked to find out after paying in advance for orders over the past few months.
-
Man, 53, charged in connection with downtown Hamilton stabbing
Hamilton police have arrested a 53-year-old man in connection with a stabbing that sent a man to hospital on Thursday evening.
Ottawa
-
‘A game changer’: Ottawa’s new LRT line to improve transit time, reliability
The capital’s new north-south rail line is set to open to the public on Monday to kick off the new year, and an Ottawa councillor says it’s “a game changer” in terms of transit times and reliability.
-
Man, woman seriously injured following multi-vehicle collision on Bank Street
A man and a woman were seriously injured following a multi-vehicle collision on Bank Street at Lester Road Friday afternoon, according to the Ottawa Paramedic Service.
-
Here's how you can watch CTV News at Six on Saturday during the NFL game
With CTV broadcasting tonight's NFL game, CTV News at Six will be broadcasting live on our website and the CTV News App.
Montreal
-
Thirty years on, is Quebec headed for another independence referendum?
On the eve of the 30th anniversary of Quebec's second independence referendum -- the first one was in 1980 -- it seems the tide could be turning again. Legault is deeply unpopular after six years in power, and the Parti Quebecois, with a young, charismatic leader, has been ahead in the polls for more than a year.
-
13-year-old Quebec kart racer has Formula 1 dreams
Quebec racer Alexis Baillargeon, 13, is looking to add to his collection of silverware in 2025, as the teen from L'Épiphanie has Formula 1 in his sights.
-
Here are the locations of the latest Quebec measles outbreak
Quebec public health confirmed that officials are monitoring a measles outbreak that began in December in Montreal, Laval and the Laurentians.
Vancouver
-
Homicide investigators take over Port Moody marina case after body found
Homicide investigators have taken over the case of a body found in the water at a marina in Port Moody on New Year's Day.
-
WestJet denies compensation to Taylor Swift fan after flight cancellation
WestJet has denied compensation to a devout Taylor Swift fan whose cancelled flight triggered a 10-hour drive through the night from Prince George to make the singer's shows in Vancouver last month.
-
B.C. nurse gets 7-day suspension for failing to follow opioid policies
A North Vancouver nurse has agreed to a seven-day suspension for failing to follow policies related to opioids.
Kelowna
-
Charges laid after child porn investigation that 'spanned several different countries,' Kelowna RCMP say
Police in Kelowna say an international investigation has led to child pornography charges against a 46-year-old man.
-
Mounties investigate discovery of 'very small pipe bomb' in Kamloops, B.C.
Mounties are investigating and appealing for witnesses after an explosive device was discovered Wednesday on a beach in Kamloops, B.C.
-
Kamloops couple delivers B.C.'s first baby of 2025
B.C.'s first baby of 2025 was born just after midnight at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops.
Vancouver Island
-
WestJet denies compensation to Taylor Swift fan after flight cancellation
WestJet has denied compensation to a devout Taylor Swift fan whose cancelled flight triggered a 10-hour drive through the night from Prince George to make the singer's shows in Vancouver last month.
-
B.C. driver who tried to apprehend suspected impaired driver was impaired: RCMP
Mounties on Vancouver Island say a 50-year-old motorist who tried to apprehend a suspected impaired driver on New Year's Eve, was, in fact, impaired and was issued a 90-day driving prohibition by police.
-
Attending hundreds of serious crash scenes each year takes its toll, B.C. first responders say
Just days into the new year, officials are already pleading with British Columbians to follow the rules of the road.
London
-
breakingbreaking MP Peter Fragiskatos calls on Trudeau to resign
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has lost the confidence of another prominent Liberal MP.
-
Buffalo Bills legend Thurman Thomas among celebrities coming to St. Thomas, Ont.
The annual St. Thomas Sports Sports Spectacular presented by Hydro One has landed another superstar for the annual event later this month.
-
Over 20,000 cars attend Magic of Lights as show ends Saturday night
Over 20,000 cars have made their way through the Magic of Lights display over the past six weeks in London, Ont.
Kitchener
-
Police urging drivers to stay off the roads in Perth County
The Ontario Provincial Police are asking drivers to think twice before hitting the roads.
-
Three school board trustees call for town hall following director of education's departure
Three Waterloo Region District School Board trustees are joining the call for a town hall after a sudden shake up within the board.
-
Snow squall warnings for southwestern Ontario
Environment Canada says southwestern Ontario could get between 15 and 60 centimetres of snow by Saturday.
Northern Ontario
-
Suspect charged in northern Ont. road rage incident that went viral
A 37-year-old suspect has been charged in connection with a road rage incident last week in Temiskaming Shores.
-
Manufacturing company donates $50K to support five Ont. food banks
A Canadian manufacturer and building products distributing company is donating thousands of dollars to food banks across Ontario – including to North Bay.
-
Sault, Ont., man claims Indigenous moose hunting rights without proof, fined $5,500
A hunter from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., has been fined for moose hunting without a licence or proper documentation. He claimed Indigenous hunting rights but failed to provide any proof.
Atlantic
-
Pedestrian dies after collision in Moncton, N.B.
A 60-year-old woman from Moncton, N.B., died Friday from injuries sustained in a collision with a vehicle as a pedestrian on New Year’s Eve.
-
Maritime hockey teams go head-to-head in ‘blood feud’ for good cause
Three teams in the Quebec Maritime Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) are battling for a cause greater than hockey this January in the Battle of the Bridge – an annual blood donation challenge.
-
'It's historic': Canada needs to change development program after World Juniors loss, experts say
Team Canada's 4-3 loss to Czechia in the world junior hockey championship, eliminating the team from medal contention for the second straight year at the hands of the same opponents, has some hockey analysts questioning whether Canada needs to retool its player-development program in order to keep up with other powerhouse countries.
N.L.
-
Labradorians pay thousands to fly to Newfoundland. Could a Quebec energy deal help?
An airport executive in Labrador hopes a new energy deal with Quebec could help attract a competing airline company to the northern region, where flights costs have climbed at more than three times the national rate.
-
Icebreaker on hand in Labrador to guide season's last freight arrivals by ferry
A Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker is in central Labrador until Saturday to guide the Kamutik W ferry on its last freight deliveries of the season.
-
Whooping cough in Canada: Outbreaks or case increases reported in these provinces
Canadian health officials say they're seeing spikes in whooping cough cases in parts of the country as the U.S. deals with case numbers not seen in more than a decade.
