BOYLE — A Boyle-area man will serve a two-year federal sentence after firing a handgun into the air, hiding in the bushes, and acting erratically towards officers last May.
On Oct. 22 in Boyle Court of Justice, Taylor Price received his sentence for one count of possession of a prohibited firearm and one count of possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm. Price pleaded guilty to both counts during an Aug. 13 court appearance in Boyle.
Justice Robert Shaigec accepted a joint sentencing submission from Crown prosecutor Taylor Noble and Price’s defence lawyer Jacqueline LeBlanc, handing down twenty-four months to be served in a federal institution and a lifetime firearms prohibition.
“Mr. Price, it’s a sad day — it certainly is, I see the sadness of you, the person who’s come with you to court,” said Shaigec. “You’ve asked for a federal penitentiary sentence as opposed to a high provincial sentence because you think the federal penitentiary sentence will be better for you by way of programming and treatment and counselling.
“I hope you take full advantage of that, sir; you’re a young man now with your life ahead of you when you come out of jail.”
Court heard on May 20, 2023, Boyle RCMP officer Const. Philip Elford responded to reports of shots fired at a home on Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement. Upon arrival, officers were told by individuals on scene that Taylor Price had become extremely agitated and shot his restricted handgun in the air multiple times before running into the woods.
At the time, Price was bound by a prohibition order not to be in possession of firearms.
“Firing a restricted handgun in the air represents extreme danger, not only to Mr. Price himself in a volatile situation, but also to civilians, witnesses, and police who are nearby,” said Noble.
Price’s criminal record does contain related weapons convictions from 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2017.
“His record certainly suggests he is a person that the justice system has deemed unable to possess weapons on multiple different occasions he’s had multiple prohibitions,” said Noble.
While neither the psychological evaluation nor Gladue report were read into the record, LeBlanc did make several submissions on her client’s behalf.
“Mr. Price lost his mother when he was 18 years old, which led him to turn to substance abuse, and also struggle with his mental health including suicidal ideation. His criminal record also begins around the time of her cancer diagnosis, prior to her death.”
“I just want to apologize for my actions,” said Price when given the opportunity to speak. “I was drinking alcohol at the time and it’s a very, very serious problem for me. Somebody could have got hurt, and I’m just here giving my accountability.”
Misuse of force allegation
After pleas were entered Aug. 13, LeBlanc filed a notice of a Section 7 Charter Rights breach for misuse of force during Price’s arrest, with an ask of a reduction in sentence. The alleged misuse of force came by way of a knee drop by Const. Elford onto Price’s back during the arrest.
On Oct. 22, Shaigec announced he found no breach of Price’s right to life, liberty, and security after reviewing cruiser camera footage and testimony presented in August.
“Const. Elford was helping facilitate the arrest of a potentially armed suspect, who, on reasonable grounds, the police believed had some minutes earlier, unlawfully discharged an easily concealable firearm; that is the context of this case — this was a high-risk situation for police.
“It is a serious and significant sentence; it’s a long time in jail,” added Shaigec. “Handguns being fired by intoxicated people who are in an erratic state when there’s a group of people around, this is a recipe for disaster.”
