Paige Theriault-Fisher, 22, is charged with manslaughter after Hodan Hashi, 23, died Nov. 5 following an argument at the LIT nightclub in downtown Saskatoon. Theriault-Fisher was initially charged with second-degree murder, but that was dropped later that day. The 30-second brawl was recorded by people at the nightclub, with the graphic footage circulating widely on social media. Prosecutor Frank Impey and defense lawyer Sharon Fox submitted a consent release plan to Judge Brent Klause in provincial court in Saskatoon on Thursday. Klause accepted the plan, which includes a $5,000 cash bond, a curfew and a no-contact list. Prosecutor Frank Impey, left, and defense attorney Sharon Fox. (CBC) “You talk about the social media aspect and people jump to conclusions. They might see a grainy video. They might watch a lot of videos and jump to conclusions,” Impey said outside court. “Once the police started gathering evidence, that charge was downgraded to a homicide charge. And so when you talk about people talking about a murder, I can say without a doubt that the police made the right decision here. The circumstances do not warrant a charge of murder”. The outrage on social media this week was such that Saskatoon police issued a statement on twitter clarifying and defending the decision to change the charge. “The preliminary investigation resulted in the arrest of a 22-year-old woman for second-degree murder,” the announcement states. “As the investigation progressed and officers were able to review video from multiple sources and interview witnesses, the evidence supported a charge of involuntary manslaughter.” Fox said outside court that Theriault-Fisher never intended for her night out to end with a charge of causing death. “Her heart and condolences go out to the family of the deceased. They are certainly traumatized. This is an event that will affect two families for the rest of their lives,” Fox said outside court. “We are confident as this matter progresses that all facts will prove that this was an act of self-defense that led to an unfortunate tragedy.” Police said the two women knew each other. Fox did not have permission from her client to discuss the relationship or what sparked the fight. Hodan Hashi had moved to Saskatoon from Ottawa to attend school. (Submitted by Hashi Family) A family member in Ottawa told the CBC that Hassey had moved to Saskatoon in the summer of 2021 after graduating from Sir Robert Borden High School. According to the relative, Hashi’s family lived in Saskatoon for a year in 2015 and Hashi wanted to return to a familiar place to pursue higher education. She was working in the city, they said, and was going to Saskatchewan Polytechnic in January to continue her studies in early childhood education. “It’s really devastating that she was taken from us like this,” a friend, who did not want to be named, told the CBC in messages exchanged on social media. “He would always have your back no matter what.” Hassi was one of nine siblings, the relative said. “She was truly loved … and had so many people who knew and loved her.” Hussey’s friend wrote to the CBC, describing her as “a sweet, loving and kind young girl with lots of ambition [who] he never failed to put a smile on my face.” “She doesn’t deserve what happened to her.” Paige Theriault-Fisher is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 15.
