The courtroom was quiet like a tomb as the clerk read a list of charges to prisoner Raymond Charles Yellowknee last week. Yellowknee was arrested on Jan. 20 of this year after his recklessness caused the death of Misty Chalifoux and her three daughters, Michelle Lisk, 13, and Trista Chalifoux, nine, and Larissa Chalifoux, six. Two sheriffs flanked Yellowknee as he listened and pleaded guilty to four counts of evading police causing death, four counts of impaired driving causing death, theft over $5,000, and driving while suspended.
Court of Queen’s Bench counsel, and special prosecutor, Jonathon Hak listed the particulars of the crime. He said Yellowknee arrived in Slave Lake early on Jan. 20 after being released from the Peace River correctional centre earlier that day. He soon met up with a friend and they began drinking. It was then, according to Hak, that Yellowknee began talking about securing a ride to Wabasca. After failing to line up transportation, he took matters into his own hands at 5:20 p.m. when he stole a pickup truck from Frontier Fuels in Slave Lake.
The owner of the 2002 Chevy Silverado had left it running next to the building and went inside. He came out to see his truck driving away. Yellowknee was behind the wheel. The owner borrowed another vehicle and pursued Yellowknee as he dialed 911 on his cell phone. He maintained visual contact with Yellowknee and followed him westbound on Hwy #2.
Another vehicle passed and came between the two vehicles. When the third vehicle attempted to pass again, Yellowknee veered left and blocked both lanes. Hak said the defendant was traveling between 115 and 120 kph at the time. His driving pattern was observed as quite erratic.
Shortly, police cruisers driven by RCMP constables Schneider and Taylor pulled up behind Yellowknee. Schneider’s emergency lights and siren were on and it appeared that Yellowknee was about to pull over and stop. That’s when the stolen Chevy pickup quickly sped away at speeds up to 150 kph. Eighteen seconds later, the truck started fishtailing, entered oncoming traffic, and collided head on with a Pontiac Sunfire being driven by Chalifoux.
Chalifoux and the two oldest girls were killed instantly in the crash. The youngest was left clinging to life but succumbed to her injuries overnight in Edmonton.
Yellowknee was also injured in the crash but police were able to perform Breathalyzer analysis on him. His blood alcohol level was 220 mg per cent. There were also three other drugs in his system: Citalopram and Trimipramine, both anti-depressants with sedative properties. Those properties were exacerbated by Yellowknee’s intoxication.
Mr. Hak entered Yellowknee’s criminal record as evidence against him. He has twice served federal time and has more than 50 convictions under his name. The prosecutor told the judge that Yellowknee should be classified as a dangerous or long-term offender. A 60-day assessment was ordered to that effect. If he is found to be a dangerous offender, Yellowknee can be incarcerated indefinitely. Both the prosecution and the defense agree that 60 days will not be sufficient but Yellowknee will be back in court here on Jan. 10 in any case.

Copyright © 2000 The Lakeside Leader. All Rights Reserved.
No part may be reproduced without written permission.

View our Privacy Statement.
Send website suggestions to the Webmaster