Lawyer for Indigenous woman arrested by RCMP says officer used excessive force
Innisfail RCMP say an officer was attacked by the driver and passenger of a truck they'd stopped on suspicion of impaired driving on Saturday, but the accused's lawyer has a different story of the encounter.
Officials say the officer stopped the truck after it allegedly went through a stop sign near the Innisfail Hospital on June 3.
"The driver and passenger were both intoxicated, belligerent and verbally aggressive with the officer," police said in a release.
"The driver was arrested for refusal to provide a breath sample, but refused to exit the vehicle. When police attempted to remove the driver, the passenger grabbed the driver to prevent her from being arrested."
The driver was eventually removed, but the passenger then got out of the truck and threatened the officer, RCMP said.
While the officer was attempting to bring the situation under control, police say the driver attacked him.
Eventually, both suspects were arrested.
The driver, Desiree Friesen, 24, of Red Deer, is charged with:
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
- Assaulting a peace officer;
- Resisting arrest; and
- Refusing to provide a breath sample.
The passenger, Laura Phypers, 37, of Red Deer, is charged with:
- Assaulting a peace officer;
- Obstructing a peace officer; and
- Uttering threats.
LAWYER SAYS OFFICER USED EXCESSIVE FORCE
Despite what the RCMP release stated, Andrew Phyper, who is Laura's brother said the woman, who herself is an Indigenous defence lawyer based in Red Deer, was attacked after requesting the officer obtain a clean straw for the screening device.
In a statement sent to CTV News on Monday, Andrew says the officer "escalated" the situation by pulling Friesen out of the vehicle.
When Laura came to the aid of her friend, Andrew says the constable attacked her.
"(The officer) delivered no less than seven closed-fist punches to the head and chest of Ms. Phypers. While roadside, Ms. Friesen was forced onto her face, and had her head slammed multiple times into the gravel."
(Supplied/Andrew Phypers)
The statement says Laura suffered a concussion, a broken nose, muscle damage, and has serious facial and cranial bruising as a result of the altercation. Friesen suffered bruising to her face, cranium, back, neck and back.
Both suspects were released on a promise to appear at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer on June 20.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.