Paige Theriault-Fisher is facing a manslaughter charge in the death of 23-year-old Hodan Hashi at Saskatoon’s Lit Nightclub on Sunday.
Theriault-Fisher was released on $5,000 bail. Her conditions prohibit the consumption of alcohol and drugs.
He cannot have any contact with the victim’s immediate family or those who have shared videos of the altercation that led to Hashi’s death. Theriault-Fisher must also observe a curfew between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m
He appeared in court via video from Pinegrove Correctional Center. The Crown did not oppose her release.
Crown prosecutor Frank Impey said there were three reasons for someone to be kept on bail. Reasons include whether the public will be at risk, whether the accused is at risk of reoffending and whether or not they will appear in court.
Impey said that after reviewing all the evidence given to police, the assessment was “pretty clear” on all three grounds that the accused would be released.
Videos of the fight that led to Hashi’s death have been released online. In one of the videos, Hassi is seen bleeding profusely as she is punched.
Impey said while the public can see a lot of “grainy” video, people jump to conclusions about what happened. He added that police gathered a significant amount of evidence that led to the charges being downgraded from second-degree murder to manslaughter.
“I can say without any doubt that the police made the right decision. The circumstances do not justify a charge of murder,” Impey said outside the courtroom.
Theriault-Fisher’s attorney, Sharon Fox, said her client had “no intention” for the incident to ever happen.
“Her heart and condolences go out to the family of the deceased. She’s definitely traumatized, it’s an event that’s going to affect two families for the rest of their lives,” Fox said outside the provincial court on Thursday.
“No family ever expects to have to bury a child and this is an unfortunate tragedy.”
Fox said that as the investigation continues, she is confident “the facts will prove” that the fight at the nightclub was an act of self-defense.
Other bail conditions for Theriault-Fisher include having her residence approved by a bail supervisor, maintaining employment, no mention of the deceased or his family and witnesses on social media.
Theriault-Fisher is due back in provincial court on December 15.
Theriault-Fisher was charged when police were called to the nightclub at 2:40 a.m. on Nov. 5 for reports that the woman was suffering from a “serious injury.”
Police and paramedics tried to save her life, but she was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Theriault-Fisher was arrested at the club. He was initially charged with second-degree murder, but the charge was downgraded to manslaughter. Paige Theriault-Fisher faces a manslaughter charge in the Nov. 5 death of Hodan Hashi at Lit Nightclub in Saskatoon.
“As the investigation progresses, officers are continually evaluating the information they gather,” a spokesperson for the Saskatoon Police Service told CTV News on Monday.
“In this case, that meant changing the charge.”
Police said Theriault-Fisher and the victim knew each other.
Hondan Hassey died after a brawl at a Saskatoon nightclub. (Facebook/Hodan Hashi)
Theriault-Fisher wore a white hoodie and glasses for her first appearance in Saskatoon District Court on Monday. The Crown opposed her release from custody.
Hashi’s family has started a GoFundMe page to cover the cost of transporting her body home to Ottawa.
“It is with great disbelief that we have lost Hontan Hassi, our sister, daughter and cousin to violence,” the fundraiser’s description reads.
“She was a kind, gentle, giving soul who would give the shirt off her back to anyone who needed it. She was loved by many and was willing to show the love the world had to give,” the fundraiser says.
With files by Miriam-Valdes Carletti and Laura Woodward.