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
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.