Prison in cards for fatal beating

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This article was published 21/12/2013 (4377 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An ex-Most Organized Brothers gang associate is facing 12 more years in prison for the part he played in the horrific jailhouse beating death of a fellow inmate and member of the same gang.

Nathan Florian Allard, 22, pleaded guilty earlier this year to a charge of manslaughter for the May 2010 killing of Tyler St. Paul, 21, inside a cell at Manitoba’s Milner Ridge Correctional Centre.

Allard was one of seven MOB members ordered by their ranking jailhouse leader to subject St. Paul to a “de-boarding” session to remove him from the gang after he signalled a desire to defect to another group.

The attackers grabbed St. Paul and pinned him down so he couldn’t move. They took turns attacking him while holding a pillow over his face to stifle any screams of pain. After about 10 minutes, the leader came into the cell and called a halt to the beating.

St. Paul was able to summon assistance from correctional officers but died without being able to identify his attackers.

Allard and seven others were arrested for second-degree murder, but were directly indicted into the Court of Queen’s Bench this year on a charge of manslaughter. It appears there was no specific intent to kill St. Paul and the beating session simply went too far.

Allard, who professes to no longer being tied to the MOB, is the last to be sentenced despite being the first to plead guilty.

His defence lawyer is seeking a nine-year term with the possibility of extra credit for some of the time he’s spent awaiting the outcome of his case.

“Mr. Allard has steadfastly maintained his deep shame,” Michael Dyck said Friday.

Allard’s path to a life of crime began after he was bullied, belittled and discriminated against by a teacher, causing him to quit school and come to Winnipeg with no job skills, Dyck said.

He turned to gang life and dealing drugs to make money. This put him in custody after he was caught and he became ensnared in the gang-beating plan, said Dyck.

“I do see a link between his background and this offence,” the lawyer said. Allard has taken steps where possible in custody to improve his life, but recognizes he has a way to go, court heard.

Crown attorney Keith Eyrikson asked Justice Albert Clearwater to note the paradox of Allard’s claims.

“Yes, Mr. Allard was doing well in custody — until he went and killed someone,” said Eyrikson. “The irony should not be lost on this court.”

Clearwater will decide the case on Jan. 8.

james.turner@freepress.mb.ca