The courts have scheduled a sentencing date for Jirard Saddleback, a man accused of firing a gun at police nine months ago when they attempted to fulfill a search warrant against him.
Saddleback’s lawyer appeared by phone in Moose Jaw Provincial Court on July 25, where he explained that he and Crown prosecutor Rob Parker had been discussing the situation during the past few weeks and had reached a resolution. However, he wanted another week to clarify some outstanding items.
Parker agreed, noting there was “some final tweaking” required with the resolution. Moreover, while the sentencing would be a joint submission, it would likely be lengthy.
Judge Brian Hendrickson agreed to the extension and adjourned the matter to Aug. 3. This was the 18th adjournment in the matter, after it last appeared on July 17.
According to previous information, Saddleback’s charges stem from allegedly firing on members of the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) on Oct. 22, 2022, during an operation involving the MJPS Tactical Response Team (TRT) and Regina SWAT. He made his first court appearance two days later, on Oct. 24.
Saddleback was charged with attempted murder, possession of drugs for trafficking, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of proceeds from a crime, and several additional firearms and weapon-related offences.
He had previously been sought on a Canada-wide warrant issued out of Calgary for being unlawfully at large.
The restricted firearm he allegedly used to fire on police during a brief chase was stolen and had been equipped with a prohibited magazine with a 30-round capacity.
As well as the two tactical teams involved, the operation was supported by MJPS patrol members, the K-9 unit, the criminal investigation section (CIS), dispatchers, administration members, crisis negotiators, and a drone pilot.
