By Lara Fominoff @LaraFominoff on Twitter

Provost family hopes 62-year-old Douglas Bagnall remains behind bars

Feb 4, 2019 | 10:41 AM

LETHBRIDGE – About 25 members of the Provost family attended Lethbridge Provincial Court Monday, Feb.4 to find out whether 62-year-old Douglas Bagnall would be granted bail.

Bagnall is now facing seven charges, including four counts of breach of conditions, one count of impaired driving, one count of impaired driving causing death, and one count of dangerous driving causing death.

Carrying a large picture of 42-year-old Barney Provost and a sign with a list of his accomplishments, members of his family, including his youngest brother Riel Provost-Houle, said they were at the courthouse to peacefully protest what the family believes has been unfair treatment by the court system.

“It’s called ‘Justice for Barney’ and we feel that the circumstances ‘til now have been unfair to our family. And we’re looking for justice for him,” said Provost-Houle.

During the brief proceedings, Crown Counsel Erin Olsen told Justice Derek Redman that Bagnall was very ill, receiving medical treatment, and that he could not appear via CCTV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre.

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An agent for Bagnall’s lawyer, William Tatarchuk asked that the matter be adjourned until February 21, for a bail hearing. He also told Judge Redman that Bagnall had elected a Court of Queen’s Bench trial by judge alone, and that there would need to be a preliminary inquiry.

Outside of the courtroom, Provost-Houle said the family is relieved that Bagnall is behind bars for now, and they hope he can conquer his apparent alcohol addiction.

“At the end of the day it’s just closure. We’re looking for closure. You know, we’re not out for revenge or anything,” he said. “We just want the courts to do their job and give us justice.”

On June 25, 2018, RCMP say a Toyota Corolla driving the wrong way on Highway 3, west of the Highway 509 intersection hit a Chevy Impala, killing the driver and injuring a 12-year-old girl.

Bagnall was not arrested until Sunday, Nov. 18 and was shortly after released on conditions following a bail hearing.

A warrant for his arrest was issued after he failed to attend court in December, but it was held three times. Bagnall also failed to check in with Lethbridge Police as required six times before he was caught. He was arrested Jan. 16, 2019 for breach of conditions.

42-year-old Provost was not only a band councillor, but a teacher and the principle at Tsuut’ina High School who held a master’s degree in education from the University of Lethbridge. He was also an active sobriety advocate.

“All we’re trying to say is, keep him behind bars where he is, and let’s move on,” said Provost-Houle.