Fearful flight from police results in jail sentence
By Delon Shurtz on April 1, 2021.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com
A 29-year-old man caught breaching release orders late last year, decided to run from police rather than risk being assaulted again, a judge was told Wednesday.
Carter Dylan Rains pleaded guilty in Lethbridge provincial court to two counts of failing to comply with release orders and one count of resisting a peace officer, for which he was sentenced to 60 days in jail.
Court was told Rains had previously been released on bail conditions that required him to remain inside a specific residence 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and not be inside a vehicle unless he is with the person who was surety for his release.
However, at about 1:30 a.m. Dec. 3, police began watching another residence after they saw Rains’ vehicle parked nearby. They saw Rains, who they knew was bound by release conditions, leave the residence and get into the passenger side of the vehicle.
When police told him he was under arrest for the breaches, Rains took off running and barricaded himself inside a garage. Police chose not to immediately enter the garage after they heard the snarls of a bull mastiff, but they were finally able to arrest Rains after he gained control of the dog.
Lethbridge lawyer Miranda Hlady explained her client ran from police because the previous February a police officer assaulted him while he was in custody. That officer, Hlady added, was charged.
Hlady admitted Rains, who has a criminal record for various offences, has had “difficulties” in the past complying with release orders and resisting arrest.
Although Rains was sentenced to 60 days in jail, he was credited for 60 days spent in pre-trial custody, effectively concluding his sentence.
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Native lawyer Miranda Hlady needs to stop making excuses for her people and spend more time talking to them about decent honest behavior if they are to live in our city. We’re sick of hearing about the crimes and drugs they bring to Lethbridge.
Explain what you mean by “Native lawyer”?… Googling the accused shows he’s no stranger to the Legal process, however he still deserves a defense, that’s just how it works. Can you imagine what it would be like if they did not get a good defense? I assume that’s what you are referring to by “make excuses”?. Every decision would be thrown out and there would be no point in having a justice system at all. Also, You would have a defense lawyer be the one to “talk to them about decent behavior” , okay, who is “them” ? Should a defense lawyer, whose job it is to defend charges for an accused, be the one that gathers all the “them’s” in a room to talk about life choices ? My last point, charges are not brought against police officers lightly. If there was sufficient evidence that this offender was assaulted while in custody to actually bring charges, not bring that up as a defense would be negligent.
I understand your message and agree that the “them’s” can make it very difficult for people that contribute to society in a positive way.. However your message does little to further this cause.
He shouldn’t of broke his release conditions but we know some LPS officers are a little more “hands on” than others. He paid for the consequences of his actions and I’m happy that no one was injured.