2 weeks Ago By Jonny Wakefield
Three Alberta Sheriffs are facing criminal charges after a prisoner died shortly after being sentenced at the Edmonton courthouse two years ago. On Friday afternoon, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) announced it has laid charges in the death of the 43-year-old man, who it did not identify. The man had just had a sentencing hearing in the Court of King’s Bench and had been taken into custody by Alberta Sheriffs, who are in charge of security and prisoner management at Alberta courts.
According to police, the man “experienced a medical emergency” while in the courthouse’s prisoner holding area. Ambulance and fire crews later arrived and pronounced him deceased. EPS has since charged three sheriffs with failing to provide the necessaries of life.
They are Adam Zasada, Brent Roy, and Karin Simmons, a sergeant. All three have been released on appearance notices and are scheduled to appear in court May 30. In an email, public safety ministry spokesperson Sheena Campbell said the provincial government is aware of the charges.
Two of the accused no longer work for the Government of Alberta, while one remains on administrative leave. “The Alberta Sheriffs Branch takes all allegations of misconduct seriously, and we’re following our standard protocols in reviewing and addressing this matter,” she said, adding “Albertans deserve and demand that the Alberta Sheriffs are held to the highest standard.” “We work hard every day to maintain the public’s trust and while this matter is concerning, it is not a reflection of the hard-working men and women of the Alberta Sheriffs as a whole.
” Campbell declined to comment further, citing the ongoing court process. [email protected] x.
com/jonnywakefield @jonnywakefield.bsky.social RelatedAlberta taking next step to establish independent police agency, municipalities could opt-inAlberta Sheriffs group seeks assurances around staffing and funding as provincial police agency draws nearer Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add EdmontonJournal.
com and EdmontonSun.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters. You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber.
Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.
