SASKATOON – Two men charged in connection with a violent attack in Saskatoon’s Sutherland neighbourhood have each been released on $1,000 bail and allowed to return home to Spruce Grove, Alta. A provincial court judge determined the men don’t pose a risk to the general public.
“Neither have criminal records, they voluntarily came in from outside the jurisdiction from Alberta to Saskatchewan to deal with the Saskatchewan warrant and they’re not running from these charges. They plan on dealing with them,” said defence lawyer Brian Pfefferle.
Crown prosecutors argued against the interim release, citing a strong case to convict, a long prison term if convicted and the severity of the charges.
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Each man faces two counts of aggravated assault following the Nov. 28 beating in the 900-block of Central Avenue. Darren Hinds is also charged with uttering threats to cause death.
Police attended the stretch of Central Ave. the night the violence broke out. Court heard statements that said two men were outside a bar smoking when they encountered the Hinds brothers. No charges were laid and statements weren’t taken.
It wasn’t until a cell phone video surfaced on social media a week later that the Saskatoon Police Service launched an investigation into the violence. Once the video was posted online, Pfefferle argued that his clients were subjected to a “witch hunt” in online comments that revealed the names of the men.
“We only got a snippet of information [in the video] and that’s why the court process needs to play out,” Pfefferle said.
The Crown read a statement from one of the victims that indicated multiple injuries he said happened after the camera stopped rolling. Among other injuries, the man alleges one of the attackers pressed his thumbs into the victim’s eyes, causing damage that may require surgery.
Police characterized the injuries of the 32- and 43-year-old victims as serious, but non-life threatening injuries.
Darren and Darcy Hinds are both former members of the Saskatchewan Huskies football team. They’re scheduled to make their next court appearance Jan. 25 in Saskatoon.
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