The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) is publicly opposing a plea deal offered by Crown prosecutors in the case of a woman charged with the murder of an eight-year-old Indigenous girl. This unprecedented action highlights the police's dissatisfaction with the prosecution's decision.

On Monday, EPS sent a letter to provincial assistant deputy justice minister Kim Goddard, expressing their “shock and horror” upon learning that the accused is expected to plead guilty to manslaughter instead of first-degree murder. The woman, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, was charged in 2023 after the girl went missing from an Edmonton home. Her body was later discovered in a hockey bag, abandoned in the bed of a pickup truck in Maskwacis.

In the letter, Megan Hankewich, the executive director of legal services for EPS, stated that the Crown has proposed a joint submission of eight years in prison as part of the plea agreement. If convicted of first-degree murder, the accused would face a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years. Hankewich argued that allowing the plea deal to proceed would undermine the justice system and represent a significant miscarriage of justice.

Hankewich urged Goddard to review the Crown's decision, referencing the Supreme Court case of R. v. Nixon, and to withdraw from the plea agreement if it is deemed inappropriate. She compared the case to the 2015 Baby M child abuse case, where a 25-year sentence was sought, suggesting that the current situation warrants a similar level of seriousness.

While EPS plans to withhold details about the girl's abuse and death to avoid influencing potential jurors, Hankewich indicated that if the plea deal is finalized, the police would release significant information to the public. This would allow the community to assess whether the prosecution and plea agreement were handled appropriately.

“It is trite law that the Crown does not win or lose,” Hankewich stated. “But what we expect from the Crown — what you and the public should expect — is that the Crown is a zealous advocate for justice. Unfortunately, so far, we have not seen that in this case.”

The letter, which is signed by Interim Chief Warren Driechel, marks a significant moment in EPS history, as it is described as an “extraordinary move.” In June, two men charged alongside the woman pleaded guilty to moving the girl's body and received sentences of just under three years.

The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service and the ministry of justice declined to comment on the matter, citing the importance of preserving the integrity of the judicial process. A spokesperson emphasized that public commentary on ongoing cases could jeopardize the rights of the accused to a fair trial.

Some legal organizations have criticized EPS's decision to send the letter. Shawn King, president of the Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association, expressed concern that the police are overstepping their role in the justice system. He accused EPS of attempting to sway public opinion and disrespecting the judicial process by threatening to release evidence.

The case is set to be heard on Wednesday morning by Court of King’s Bench Justice Jody Fraser, a former Crown prosecutor. While judges typically accept joint submissions, it is not uncommon for them to reject them if they do not align with past sentences for similar offenses.