Judge to determine parole eligibility for Craig Fox after second-degree murder conviction
Craig Fox was convicted of second-degree murder for shooting Lee Bearsears in the back of the head and faces a life sentence, with a judge set to decide his parole ineligibility period.
In a trial at Battleford Court of King's Bench, Craig Fox was convicted of second-degree murder for killing 31-year-old Lee Bearsears with a sawed-off rifle, then discarding the body on Poundmaker Cree Nation. Fox, who was intoxicated on crystal meth and alcohol, claimed the victim was a "skinner," a slang term for a child molester, after learning of a pending sexual-assault charge. Prosecutor Oryn Holm described Fox's act as vigilante justice, seeking a parole ineligibility period of 15 to 20 years, while defence lawyer Pamela Wayman highlighted Fox's history of residential-school trauma and childhood abuse.
Family members delivered emotional impact statements, emphasizing Bearsears's role in their lives. The presiding judge, Rochelle Wempe, postponed the final parole decision, scheduling it for September 25.
Why it matters
The case raises questions about vigilante violence, sentencing for murder and the impact of intergenerational trauma on criminal responsibility.
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