Man shot by Redcliff Mounties gets probation

By Alex McCuaig
Southern Alberta Newspapers
A man with a pellet gun shot by a Redcliff RCMP constable in October 2014 entered a guilty plea to possession of a dangerous weapon Tuesday, receiving an 18-month probation sentence.
The court heard Bernard Norman, 34, was acting out of character in the hours that preceded the Oct. 6 incident, aggravated by consumption of medication and alcohol.
Norman went to the Redcliff detachment during the early morning hours and picked up the complaint phone outside the building’s entrance and was displaying, “paranoid behaviour,” at the time, including believing someone was following him, according to court submissions.
Crown prosecutor Ramona Robins called Norman’s actions, “not normal behaviour for him.”
Defence lawyer Rob Robbenhaar told the court his client has been abstaining from drugs and alcohol and is committed to a “clean and sober lifestyle” while submitting himself to counselling.
An Alberta Serious Incident Response Team launched an investigation into the police-involved shooting following the incident.
A report as to the provincial agency’s findings has yet to be released.
Abduction sentencing delayed
Sentencing for a woman convicted a year ago on charges of abduction in contravention of a custody order has been adjourned until March.
Lola DeJong’s charges stem from a June 20, 2010 incident in which the woman abducted a two-year-old girl from a Redcliff home, triggering a province-wide Amber Alert.
The child was turned over to Jasper RCMP unharmed the next day.
DeJong was found guilty in January 2014 following a protracted and litigious trial that began in November 2011 at Medicine Hat Court of Queen’s Bench.
The sentencing was scheduled for Tuesday to allow for the completion of a pre-sentence report as well as a Gladue report – for aboriginal offenders – but was unable to proceed due to several circumstances revolving around the inability to complete a Forensic Assessment and Outpatient Services (FAOS) report.
Sentencing has now been adjourned to March.

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