Alberta man sentenced to 14 years for violent courthouse escape

EDMONTON – A man convicted for his role in a violent escape from the Whitecourt courthouse has been sentenced to 14 years in prison.

On Feb. 26, 2013, Clayton Ness and another man escaped custody from a holding cell at the Whitecourt courthouse. Ness shot Sheriff Allan Buttree’s finger off during a struggle in which Ness managed to get control of the officer’s gun.

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Panic ensued when a second inmate fired shots that went through a wall into the adjoining courtroom.

The pair then fled in the sheriff’s van before they were caught by RCMP a few kilometres outside Whitecourt.

READ MORE: Suspects in custody after Alberta sheriff shot outside Whitecourt courthouse

The prosecution and the defence jointly recommended the sentence for Ness, who pleaded guilty to several charges, including aggravated assault. He was originally in court before the escape on drug-related charges.

Jake MacIntyre is facing several charges in connection to the incident. He’s scheduled to go to trial in November.

With files from The Canadian Press