PRINCE ALBERT – A Prince Albert Police Service (PAPS) officer charged in Saul Laliberte’s death was expected to enter an election in court on Nov. 8 but the matter was adjourned to Dec. 13.
Sgt. Tyson Morash faces charges of criminal negligence causing death and failing to provide the necessities of life. Morash, a 21-year member of the police force, was charged in July.
Laliberte, 33, died while in police cells at PAPS on Nov. 7, 2021. He had been arrested around 3 p.m. on outstanding warrants without incident and taken to police cells to await a court appearance. About four hours later he was found unresponsive in his cell. Paramedics on shift provided emergency medical care until an ambulance arrived. He was taken by Parkland Ambulance to Victoria Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
Laliberte’s death was investigated as an in-custody death by the Saskatchewan Coroner’s Service and Saskatoon Police Service (SPS). In June SPS recommended to the Crown prosecutor that Morash be charged. Morash has been relieved of his duties with PAPS.
The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) held a press conference in July expressing concerns about the number of deaths of First Nations people in care of the police service.
"We have received many concerns regarding the Prince Albert Police Service from our people; these concerns continue today," said the FSIN in a media release. "Public trust cannot be maintained when it has officially eroded.
"The FSIN supports the family of the late Saul Laliberte, we are deeply sympathetic to their loss, and together we grieve as a community. The FSIN and the Chiefs of the Federation will stand behind Amelia Bloomfield, Saul's Mother, throughout this journey to seek justice for her lost child."
Laliberte grew up in various places across four provinces but his childhood homes were in Nipawin, Saskatoon, and Beardy’s First Nation, according to his obituary.
Laliberte took various training and courses to be employed as a construction worker and general labourer. He enjoyed listening to music, working out, cooking, watching movies and spending time with family.
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