Craig Fox has been convicted of second-degree murder for shooting Lee Bearsears in the back of the head and leaving his body in a field on Poundmaker Cree Nation. Fox is currently awaiting his sentencing at Battleford Court of King’s Bench to determine the number of years he will serve before being eligible for parole.
During Fox’s sentencing hearing, Bearsears’s family members expressed the profound grief and loss they have experienced since his murder on October 15, 2023. Bearsears, who was 31 years old, was described as a caring figure by his siblings who credited him for his role in raising them.
Fox’s actions were fueled by a combination of crystal meth and alcohol on the day of the murder. Justice Rochelle Wempe’s verdict outlined the events leading up to Bearsears’s death, where Fox fatally shot him in the presence of a friend, Preston Checkosis. Fox’s DNA was found on the weapon used in the shooting, and his fingerprints were the only ones discovered inside the vehicle.
The motive behind the murder was partially revealed through Fox’s statements after the incident. Fox referred to Bearsears as a “skinner,” a term associated with child molestation, implying a possible grudge against Bearsears due to an alleged sexual assault charge he was facing.
While the prosecution advocated for a parole ineligibility period of 15 to 20 years, the defense argued for 10 years, citing Fox’s troubled upbringing marked by institutional failures and intergenerational trauma. Fox’s turbulent past, characterized by displacement, addiction, and violence, was presented as a contributing factor to his criminal behavior.
Considering all factors, Justice Wempe is deliberating on the appropriate sentence for Fox, which is expected to be announced on September 25.