A victim impact statement presented Friday at the sentencing hearing for the Winnipeg man who ran over Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Constable Shelby Patton more than two years ago. The judge will decide on the punishment later.
On June 12, 2021, during a traffic stop in Wolseley, Southeast Saskatchewan, Officer Shelby Patton lost his life after he was hit by a stolen truck while trying to intercept it.
Testifying in court, the 26-year-old police officer’s mother, Melanie Patton, said she was devastated by the loss of her only son.
Nothing is the same anymore. Our family fell apart. (…) Meetings are small and quiet, and I dread parties.
The family of Constable Shelby Patton during a tribute to the young man in Wolseley, Saskatchewan. From left to right: Matthew Zimroz, Kaela Patton, Ashley Patton and Melanie Patton. (Archive photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Heidi Atter / CBC
I see a psychologist every two weeks
On Friday, prosecutor Adam Breker presented a victim impact statement on behalf of Shelby Patton’s wife, Mari Grobler.
In this statement, Mrs. Grobler expresses her constant fears related to vehicle noise, her difficulty leaving home, and her descent into depression.
Additionally, she was unable to continue operating her personal training business.
Depression and anxiety over losing Shelby Patton caused severe chest pain
writes Mari Grobler in her press release. I see a psychologist every two weeks and expect to do so for many years.
Prosecutor Adam Breker believes that the driver of the Alphonse Stanley Traverse truck should be sentenced to life in prison, given that he knowingly entered the road after committing a serious crime.
Mr. Breker emphasizes that a harsher sentence should be imposed for the murder of a police officer, becausewidespread and fundamental influence
which these professionals achieve on society.
Defense attorney Matthew Gould argued that while Shelby Patton’s death was devastating, the 41-year-old had no idea his actions would lead to the officer’s death.
No matter what happened (Shelby Patton), it doesn’t change the accidental nature of what happened
according to Matthew Gould.
According to the latter, Alphonse Stanley Traverse suffered intergenerational trauma. He was abused at day school and in his foster family.
I saw his world come crashing down
In a statement given to the court, the deputy commissioner and division commander RCMP of Saskatchewan, Rhonda Blackmore, spoke of the difficult moment she had to inform Mari Grobler of her husband’s death.
She knew something was seriously wrong. However, when I announced that Shelby Patton was no longer here, I saw her world come crashing down
says Rhonda Blackmore.
In my 28 years in the police force, I have sent many notifications to next of kin and all are difficult and tragic for a family receiving the news of the death of a loved one.
she adds. But this time it was different for me. It was much more personal. A young man is called to try to catch the people responsible for the theft of the vehicle, doing exactly what he has always done as a professional.
Last year, Alphonse Stanley Traverse pleaded guilty to manslaughter and vehicle theft.
The court heard that the officer asked Alphonse Stanley Traverse to get out of the truck and that when Traverse started the vehicle to leave, Shelby Patton stood up on the running board and reached for the keys.
Shelby Patton worked in the SquadIndian head from RCMPin Saskatchewan.