Violent confrontation at P.A. seniors complex results in 4.5-year prison sentence

By Nigel Maxwell

Outside Prince Albert Provincial Court Wednesday, Curtis Klarenbach wiped away tears and thought about the changes and losses his family has faced the past four months.

The woman who assaulted Klarenbach’s elderly father last January, has received a prison sentence of 4.5 years. April Ross, 40, had initially entered not guilty pleas last February and was scheduled to face trial on Wednesday.

However at the onset of the hearing, Ross’s lawyer Tim Nolin informed the court his client would be entering a guilty plea to aggravated assault. A second charge of uttering threats was withdrawn.

Case history

On the evening of Jan. 2, a group of residents at Northcote Manor were gathered in the common room area, playing cards and socializing.

Reading from the agreed statement of facts, Crown Prosecutor MaryAnne Larson explained that upon noticing a strange woman was in the room, the residents began to question April Ross what she was doing there and encouraged her to leave.

“They didn’t know how she gained access,” Larson explained.

Ross initially replied she was visiting someone but after being prodded further by the residents, went to the kitchen and pulled a butter knife out from one of the drawers (Defence claimed it was a spatula). She then advanced towards the residents and threatened to stab someone.

Throughout the hearing, Ross could be overheard crying in the prisoner’s box. Defence lawyer maintained she never meant for this to happen. @princealbertnow

— nigel maxwell (@nigelmaxwell) May 24, 2023

Arming himself with a garbage can for protection, 89-year-old Carl Klarenbach, who happens to be a retired correctional officer, got up from the chair he was sitting in to intervene. He was then pushed backwards and suffered a serious head injury. Paramedics, who transported him to hospital, later confirmed he was unconscious for about two to three minutes.

Ross left the building on foot but based on a description given of the clothes she was wearing, was located and arrested an hour later by police – roughly three blocks away.

While in the police vehicle, Ross admitted to assaulting the elderly man.

“All I did was push him,” she said, according to Larson.

As a result of the fall, Carl suffered a fractured skull. He has also been diagnosed with rapidly progressing dementia and cognitive impairment.

Larson explained while it may have been just a push, the victim was elderly and not physically capable of being able to break his fall like a younger person might be able to.

“The consequences were devastating and life changing,” she said, adding Ross’s actions also traumatized the people who witnessed it.

In one case a woman, out of concern for her personal safety, moved to Melfort.

While the facts of the case were being read, Ross could be overhead crying and at one point shouted out she was the one who was attacked.

Victim impact statements

One of the more emotional moments of the sentencing hearing was the reading of victim impact statements, including one that had been written by Carl’s late wife Bev who passed away in February.

Bev, who wrote the statement three weeks after the assault, described feelings of uncertainty, explaining how her husband had been the one to care for her.

Bev described Carl as a good man, who loved to play solitaire and work on puzzles. And prior to the head injury, he took great pride in being able to drive. However as a result of his injury, Carl would not be able to get behind the wheel.

“How do I tell him that,” Bev asked in her statement.

Carl’s son, Curtis Klarenbach, wrote his belief his mother died from a broken heart.

Carl and Bev would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in July. (Submitted photo/ Curtis Klarenbach)

Statement from defence

Defence lawyer Tim Nolin began his submissions by explaining Ross was extremely remorseful for her actions, and prays daily for the victim’s recovery. Nolin also explained Ross had in fact known someone at the building and it was that person who let her in.

According to Ross’s criminal record, her offences date back to 1997 and include a number of convictions for violent crimes. She’s also got over 40 failure to comply orders.

Nolin explained his client, who is from Sturgeon Lake First Nation, was physically and sexually abused as a child, and he attributed her distrust for men and life on the streets, as the reason for her being confrontational.

“That doesn’t excuse her behavior,” Nolin explained, adding it just helps to show why she is the way she is.

When provided the opportunity to speak, Ross apologized to the victim’s family and reiterated the incident wasn’t supposed to end that way.

“I will have to live with this for the rest of my life,” she said.

With a remand credit of seven months, Ross will have three years and seven months left to serve. Judge Felicia Daunt noted she would make a recommendation for the sentence to be served at the Regional Psychiatric Centre in Saskatoon.

Following her release from custody, Ross will be prohibited from owning or possessing any firearms or explosives for a period of 10 years.

Response from family

Curtis Klarenbach and his wife were present in court for the sentencing hearing, and he was observed crying on more than one occasion. Outside the courthouse, Curtis expressed his relief the court process was complete, but added 4.5 years was not long enough for his dad and Ross’s apology means nothing.

“If she had no record, I’d be fine, but with her past, how many times has she said that speech,” he said.

Following the incident security has been increased at the building in the form of new locks and a hired security team.

In a statement from Roger Parenteau, Executive Director of Housing Operations for Sask. Housing Corporation, he explained Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and the Prince Albert Housing Authority worked together with Prince Albert Police Services to address safety concerns in all three downtown senior apartment complexes in Prince Albert.

“The Prince Albert Housing Authority took immediate measures to improve security including contracting security services to provide additional support to tenants and staff, installing security cameras and switching to FOB systems,” he said.

Parenteau also confirmed meetings with tenants to share important safety information, including details on how they should report emergent and other critical safety concerns to keep themselves and their neighbours safe. The Prince Albert Police Service was also invited to participate in those meetings.

“This added security, everyone can thank Carl Klarenbach for that,” Curtis said.