PRINCE ALBERT – Kurt Ratt blames the “environment of La Ronge” for his criminal behaviour, including killing Eric Bouchard saying, “most people are not able to live in La Ronge and maintain a positive lifestyle,” court heard.
This seeming justification of his crimes, however, wasn’t accepted by Justice Richard Danyliuk in Prince Albert Court of King’s Bench.
“Kurt fails to hold himself accountable for his behaviour. He thinks and talks about living a prosocial life, but he does not do what is necessary to change.”
Ratt was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the death of 32-year-old Eric Bouchard. Ratt, now 20, was originally charged with first-degree murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter.
Crown Prosecutor Stephanie Lavallee had asked the court for a 16 to 18-year prison sentence, whereas defence counsel Zachary Carter argued for an eight to 12-year prison sentence.
“Mr. Ratt presents to me as highly culpable,” said Justice Richard Danyliuk. “His involvement in criminality, his specific conduct within the context of this crime, and his general conduct are all aggravating factors. The need for denunciation and deterrence in cases such as this ranks high within my consideration of apposite sentencing factors.”
Ratt has been involved in street gangs but claims he left the gang life. He acknowledged that most of his associations are with negative peers with whom he abuses substances and commits crimes, court heard.
According to a pre-sentence report (PSR), Ratt has a high-risk of re-offending. His risk factors include antisocial behaviour, substance abuse, negative peers, lack of employment and unstable housing.
The PSR illustrates Ratt appears to have very little insight into his behaviour, blaming the community of La Ronge and the associates he has there for his misdeeds instead of taking full responsibility. This failure to accept full responsibility is an aggravating factor and increases his risk of reoffending, said Justice Danyliuk.
While incarcerated waiting for trial, Ratt had 11 discipline charges against him in jail for everything from fighting, threats, disruption, possession of contraband, being intoxicated, and destruction of property.
“One might think that while awaiting trial or disposition on a very serious charge, Mr. Ratt might have been on his best behaviour,” said Justice Danyliuk. “Instead he continued to act in an antisocial manner, without abatement. I wish to be totally clear that I am not using these discipline offences, on their own, as an aggravating factor in sentencing Mr. Ratt. Rather, I am using them as part of the package of information before me as to his lack of insight and continued antisocial attitude, so that his risk to reoffend may be adequately assessed.”
‘I have heard you’ Justice Danyliuk tells victim’s family
Justice Danyliuk addressed the trauma experienced by Eric Bouchard’s family.
“In her statement the deceased’s mother, Lisa McLeod, spoke simply but effectively of the trauma she has sustained as a result of the death of her son. She aptly referred to her state of being as being 'in a daze' due to the loss of her son. I have paid attention to these victim impact statements as they are important. They help judges stay in touch with the community’s sentiments. They help us understand the profound loss felt by families which lose a member due to crime. I want to assure Mr. Bouchard’s mother, brother and sister, and the rest of his family and friends who did not speak, that I have heard you."
River Miller charges still before court
The first-degree murder charge against Ratt’s co-accused River Miller, now 22, is still before Prince Albert Court of King’s Bench.
Ratt and River were arrested after La Ronge RCMP received reports of shots fired outside a home at Bells Point in La Ronge on May 17, 2022. Bouchard was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Ratt, from La Ronge, was given 846 days remand credit. This means he had 4,629 days left to serve at his sentencing hearing on Dec. 19, 2023. He was also banned from owning firearms and weapons for life and ordered to provide his DNA. The charge of assault with a firearm was stayed by the Crown.
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