BOYLE – A man from the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement spent a month behind bars after he helped a friend escape from an RCMP officer on the back of his quad last fall.
In Boyle Court of Justice March 26 William Curtis White, 33, pleaded guilty to obstruction of a peace officer as part of a joint submission between Crown prosecutor Taylor Noble and defence counsel Hart Spencer. As part of the joint submission additional counts of assaulting a peace officer and dangerous operation were withdrawn.
Justice Andrea Hemmerling accepted the joint submission, noting the severity of the offence, but also the early guilty plea and some triable issues Noble had acknowledged.
“The facts of the matter do put this at one of the more serious obstructs that this court hears. It was very concerning that you were coming up on the officer while he was attempting an arrest at a high rate of speed, and that you helped him flee; it’s very concerning,” said Hemmerling.
White had already served more than 30 days on the information — he was incarcerated for 33 real days, which was enhanced to 50 days — and Spencer said that White still has outstanding matters in Lac La Biche. The victim-fine surcharge was also waived, given White’s time spent behind bars.
“On the sliding scale of obstruction issues, I can’t dispute that this would be more serious than perhaps a fleeting attempt to lie about someone’s name,” said Spencer. “I would submit that 30 days custody is a fit and fair sentence.”
White waived his right to a Gladue Report — he is from the Kikino Metis Settlement, where he was raised by his grandmother — due to a desire to get the matter dealt with and out of the way, said Spencer.
He also noted White’s criminal record, which started in 2014, but was otherwise clear until the loss of his grandmother in 2020. An issue with methamphetamines contributed to the downward spiral, although Spencer said White had since gotten sober.
“In speaking with him, it seems clear that the loss of his grandmother has had a significant impact on him,” said Spencer. “Despite his close relationship with her, he was unable to spend time with her or say his goodbyes due to the pandemic.
“He’s hopeful of maintaining his sobriety once he’s resolved his matters; he’s got kids to support,” said Spencer. “He has the ability to work, support his children, and stay out of trouble.”
The Facts
Noble told court that on Oct. 9, 2023, a Boyle RCMP constable located a stolen vehicle in Buffalo Lake. A man, who had been standing in front of the stolen vehicle, fled on foot when the constable exited his marked police car.
The Boyle constable gave chase, at which point a struggle ensued between the two men on the ground. During the altercation, the man discarded a knife, which fell to the ground.
Noble told court that White then drove towards the two men while they were on the ground, nearly striking them with the ATV she said was travelling at a high rate of speed. The man then fled with White on the ATV.
Upon searching the vehicle, two fully-loaded magazines were located where the man had been standing, as well as a can of bear spray.
“The idea of ripping this quad up and offering his buddy, who was clearly engaged with the police an escape route, is an obstruction,” said Spencer.
