Former Saskatchewan Mountie Bernie Herman is set to be sentenced for manslaughter in the death of his lover, 26-year-old Braden Herman, who was found dead in a park on the outskirts of Prince Albert in 2021. Bernie Herman admitted to firing the gun that killed Braden Herman, but there was a dispute in court over whether the act was premeditated. The Mountie’s lawyers argued that the shooting was in self-defence, while prosecutors claimed that Bernie Herman intentionally lured his lover to the isolated location to kill him.
Initially charged with first-degree murder, Bernie Herman’s conviction was reduced to manslaughter after Court of King’s Bench Justice Gary Meschishnick ruled that the Crown failed to prove that the officer was not provoked. The trial revealed that the two men met on Facebook in 2018, leading to Braden Herman moving in with the Mountie, despite the impact on the officer’s marriage. The relationship turned sexual, but issues arose, and the officer’s wife eventually kicked Braden Herman out of their home in 2019. Despite this, the two men continued to meet for sexual encounters, with Bernie Herman later testifying that some interactions were not consensual and that Braden Herman would become violent.
Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Bernie Herman and his wife had arguments regarding Braden Herman leading up to the fatal shooting. On May 11, 2021, Bernie Herman, dressed in his uniform and armed with his RCMP-issued weapon, picked up Braden Herman and drove to the park where the incident occurred. According to Bernie Herman’s recollection, Braden Herman, who was naked, allegedly grabbed the officer’s face before walking to the back of the truck and bending down to pick up an object. The Mountie claimed that he did not recall what happened next, but his gun discharged. Justice Meschishnick expressed doubts regarding the Mountie’s memory lapses and sense of threat but acknowledged a reasonable doubt about the Crown’s ability to prove that Bernie Herman was not provoked.
The sentencing for Bernie Herman’s manslaughter conviction is scheduled to take place, following the court’s decision to reduce his charges from first-degree murder. The controversial case has raised questions about self-defence, provocation, and the dynamics of the relationship between Bernie Herman and Braden Herman. Despite the outcome, the tragic incident continues to illuminate the complexities of human behavior and the consequences of interpersonal conflicts. The legal proceedings have shed light on the challenges of determining guilt and motive, emphasizing the importance of seeking justice and accountability in cases of violence and loss of life.
