Court of Queen's Bench - CHAT News file photo

By Charles Lefebvre

Guilty plea

Man accused in New Year’s Eve homicide pleads guilty to manslaughter

Dec 9, 2019 | 2:24 PM

*Warning: Some details in this story may be upsetting to some readers. Discretion is advised.*

MEDICINE HAT, AB — A man charged with second-degree murder in connection with a 2016 homicide has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

Leonard Beaulieu pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter in Medicine Hat Court of Queen’s Bench Monday afternoon.

The 27-year-old was set to begin a judge-only trial for second-degree murder.

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Beaulieu, along with Luke Boxell, now 25, were both charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Jordan Pede, 24, on New Year’s Eve.

According to an agreed statement of facts presented in court, Beualieu and Boxell confronted Pede with the intent to steal drugs from him. One of the men was armed with a revolver, while the other man was armed with bear spray. The crown says they were unable to conclusively prove who was armed with what at the time of the incident.

During the confrontation, Pede was shot in the head. His body was dumped in a ditch near Strathcona Island Park, and was discovered by residents. He was taken to Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and later airlifted to a Calgary hospital, where he died on January 11.

The crown was unable to conclusively determine who shot Pede.

The weapon was never recovered.

Boxell was arrested on January 25.

Beaulieu fled to Manitoba, where he was arrested on February 13, 2017.

Last year, Boxell pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and received a 10 year prison sentence.

Beaulieu returns to the Court of Queen’s Bench on Wednesday, where he is expected to be sentenced.