(rdnewsNOW/Sheldon Spackman)

By Sheldon Spackman

June 2023 Incident

Trial date scheduled in alleged altercation during Innisfail traffic stop

Feb 8, 2024 | 10:51 AM

A trial date has been scheduled for one of two people charged in connection with an alleged altercation with Innisfail Mounties last summer.

Desiree Reanne Friesen, 25, is scheduled for trial in Red Deer Court of Justice on June 3, 2024.

It was on June 3, 2023, when Mounties say an Innisfail RCMP officer was conducting patrols near the Innisfail Hospital when he observed a speeding black truck drive through a stop sign. Police say a traffic stop was initiated and a subsequent investigation ensued as the driver was suspected of being impaired by alcohol.

RCMP say the officer further suspected the driver and passenger were both intoxicated, and claimed the vehicle’s occupants were belligerent and verbally aggressive with the officer. Mounties say the driver was arrested for refusal to provide a breath sample and is also accused of refusing to exit the vehicle. When police attempted to remove the driver, police say the passenger grabbed the driver to prevent her from being arrested.

The driver was eventually removed from the vehicle. According to police, the passenger then exited the vehicle and approached police in a fighting stance and threatened the member’s life. Mounties say the driver physically assaulted the member while he was attempting to bring both suspects under control. RCMP say the officer and the passenger both sustained injuries during the altercation.

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As a result of the investigation, Desiree Friesen, a resident of Red Deer, was charged with:

• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
• Assault Peace Officer;
• Resist Arrest; and
• Provincial refuse breath demand.

Laura Phypers, a resident of Red Deer, was charged with:

• Assault Peace Officer;
• Obstruct Peace Officer; and
• Uttering threats.

Andrew Phypers, Barrister, and brother of Laura Phypers, issued a statement following the incident in response to the RCMP news release.

“Out of deep respect for the justice system, Laura Phypers wishes to refrain from engaging in the public forum and trusts the facts will ultimately refute the allegations made against her,” wrote Phypers. “The RCMP, however, have made a press release that compels a response.”

“On June 3, 2023, Laura Phypers, a prominent Indigenous defence lawyer, was the passenger in a motor vehicle driven by her friend, Ms. Desiree Friesen, who is also Indigenous,” wrote Phypers. “A lone RCMP officer pulled the vehicle over and requested Ms. Friesen provide a mandatory alcohol screening sample. Ms. Friesen insisted the officer provide a clean straw on the device.”

That, alleges Phypers, resulted in the officer immediately escalating the situation to what he describes as the use of extreme force to rip Friesen from the vehicle.

“Ms. Friesen, still wearing her seatbelt in the driver’s seat, became entangled in her sweater and the seatbelt, causing her to choke,” wrote Phypers.

He says both occupants of the vehicle demanded to know why the officer was forcefully removing Friesen from the vehicle and why the driver was under arrest as the incident continued onto the roadway.

“Ms. Phypers was alarmed and came to the aid of her friend,” wrote Phypers, accusing the officer of delivering no less than seven closed fist punches to the head and chest of passenger Laura Phypers, while roadside.

“Ms. Friesen was forced onto her face, and had her head slammed multiple times into the gravel,” wrote Phypers. “Ms. Phypers suffered from concussive symptoms, broken nose, muscle damage, and serious facial and cranial bruising. Ms. Friesen suffered bruising to her face, cranium, neck and back.”

Laura Elizabeth Phypers, 38, sees her matter return to Red Deer Court of Justice for summary disposition on March 22, 2024.

Related: Officer and suspect injured following altercation during Innisfail traffic stop

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