UPDATE: 8:09 AM
The Canadian Press is reporting that Kaij Brass has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of his son Tanner Brass. The Canadian Press is citing confirmation from the Crown Prosecutors Office. Kaij Brass is expected to be sentenced today.
————–
A highly anticipated murder trial is expected to get underway today. Kaij Brass is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 13-month-old son Tanner Brass in a Prince Albert home on February 10, 2022. That day, police were called to the home on the 200 Block of 23rd Street West of Kaij Brass and mother Kyla Frenchman in the early morning hours over an alleged domestic dispute. Frenchman and the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations claimed police ignored the mother’s plea not to leave Tanner with Kaij, as Frenchman was arrested in the incident on suspicion of intoxication.
Hours later, Tanner would be dead, as officers again responded to the home. “I was scared and needed their help and I thought they were here to help, but they didn’t… they took my baby from me… I believe Tanner would be alive today if they had listened to me,” said Frenchman’s attorney Eleanor Sunchild, as she read a prepared statement, following Tanner’s death.
The fallout was swift as Indigenous leaders with the FSIN and the Prince Albert Grand Council, wanted a complete overhaul of policing. Compounding the matter, the officers involved the night Tanner died remained on active duty. FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron called this appalling and an inadequate response by police. Cameron wanted the officers fired, while an external investigation took place. Then Prince Albert Police Chief Jonathan Bergen suspended the two officers, pending the outcome of the Public Complaints Commission report.
On May 18, 2023, The Public Complaints Commission tabled its report, outlining neglect by Prince Albert Police. The commission report said Tanner Brass was vulnerable and in danger while inside the residence with Kaij Brass. It says while Tanner’s mother never raised concerns directly to the officers regarding Tanners safety, they should have asked considering she did raise those concerns during the 911 call. The conclusions of the report states that the officers should have entered the home to ensure the safety of Tanner Brass and were incorrect in their belief that they needed a warrant or permission from Kaij Brass to enter the home. The report also says the officers failed to follow intimate partner violence policy from PAPS which calls on officers to “ensure the immediate safety of the complainant and any children who may be present.”
The report also says the officers failed in requesting additional assistance, did not take a statement regarding the alleged assault, nor did they properly obtain information on Kaij Brass’s level of intoxication and whether he was safe to be alone with Tanner Brass.
“The totality of the circumstances demonstrates a series of compounded failures by (the officers) when they had a legal duty to investigate the 911 call… this was neglect of duty by (both officers)… in failing to conduct a proper investigation of a domestic violence situation despite the presence of a vulnerable and unprotected infant,” the report read.
Bergen would retire, following the release of the PCC report. The trial is expected to last two weeks.
(Photo of Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations Chief Bobby Cameron holding a picture of Tanner Brass and mother Kyla Frenchman.)