Craig Fox was found guilty of second-degree murder for shooting Lee Bearsears in the head and leaving his body in a field on Poundmaker Cree Nation. The 29-year-old now awaits his prison sentence and parole eligibility after a trial at Battleford Court of King’s Bench earlier this year.
During Fox’s sentencing hearing, Bearsears’s family shared the immense grief and emptiness they’ve experienced since his murder on October 15, 2023, at the age of 31. Bearsears was praised by his siblings for the pivotal role he played in their lives, especially in their upbringing.
Bearsears’s grandmother expressed deep disappointment in Fox’s actions, highlighting the trust they had in him and the profound loss caused by Bearsears’s death. The trial revealed that Fox fatally shot Bearsears with a sawed-off rifle while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Justice Rochelle Wempe’s verdict detailed the events leading to Bearsears’s murder, emphasizing Fox’s deliberate actions. Fox’s statements after the incident hinted at his motive, referencing Bearsears as a “skinner,” a slang term for a child molester. The court heard that Fox had prior knowledge of an allegation against Bearsears related to sexual assault.
The Crown advocated for a parole ineligibility period of 15 to 20 years, citing Fox’s vigilantism and disregard for due process. Fox’s defense highlighted his troubled upbringing, marked by intergenerational trauma and exposure to violence and addiction. Despite these factors, Fox’s background does not excuse his crime, but it should be considered in sentencing.
The court is set to announce Fox’s sentencing on September 25, taking into account the severity of the offense and the mitigating circumstances presented during the trial.