Darrell Malcolm McCaig, fire chief for the Cold Lake First Nations (CLFN) Fire Department, was arrested by Cold Lake RCMP in relation to alleged incidents of domestic abuse.
On Tuesday, Oct. 16, McCaig appeared in the Bonnyville Provincial Courthouse after his arrest two days prior following allegations from his common-law spouse.
McCaig, a CLFN member, has been charged with three counts of assault, two counts of uttering threats to cause death, uttering threats, pointing a firearm, choking with intent, careless use of a firearm, failing to provide the necessities of life, and possession of a prohibited weapon.
During McCaig's court appearance, he requested release from custody, in hopes of returning to work while living under 24-hour house arrest.
On Oct. 3, McCaig's spouse attended the Cold Lake RCMP detachment, where she provided a statement detailing multiple cases of physical assault.
The most recent alleged incident took place between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30, where the victim claims McCaig assaulted her three times, all in a similar fashion.
According to the victim, he would come home yelling, screaming, and intoxicated from the casino. He would push her to the ground, or onto the bed, leaving her with bruises. She claims she feared for her life on more than one occasion.
The victim told police about additional incidents in 2012 and 2013, when he pointed a loaded firearm at her and put her in a choke-hold.
During one instance, she called the neighbour, a mutual friend, for help. The neighbour provided a statement to police explaining how when she found McCaig, he was sitting on his bed with a gun under his chin, and finger on the trigger.
The neighbour managed to get the loaded firearm away from McCaig.
In 2017, the victim alleges McCaig broke a window after accidentally discharging a firearm in their home.
She also told police sometime between July and August of this year, McCaig yelled at their eldest child not to help the younger sibling after they had fallen face-first into the bath.
When his spouse walked into the bathroom, she said she saw McCaig on his cellphone walking out of the room.
Ten days after the victim's statement with police, Cold Lake RCMP executed a search warrant on the family's residence.
Officers located ammunition, and arrested McCaig for being in breach of his lifetime weapons prohibition, which dates back to a historical conviction of attempted murder and robbery, among others.
McCaig served over 14 years in custody for the incident.
Crown prosecutor Tyler McLean said although his record is dated, it's "extremely serious in nature."
McLean was opposed to McCaig's release because the assaults took place multiple times, the children were sometimes present, and the victim was scared for her life.
McCaig told the court the accusations against him were just that. According to the accused, he is currently in a custody disagreement with the victim, after she tried to take the children to live in Ontario.
He said she was required to bring them back to Alberta in early October, just before she made her statement to police.
McCaig repeatedly denied the allegations.
Stephanie Oleksyn, defence counsel for the accused, noted since his previous conviction, he has "completely turned his life around," working with CLFN youth on avoiding following his path in life.
"He is a valuable and contributing member to society," Oleksyn described.
If released, McCaig would have been ready to pay a $2,000 cash bail, and live under strict conditions including remaining in his residence at all times except for work, no contact with the victim, and no contact with the children unless authorized by Child and Family Services.
Honourable Judge Michèle Collinson denied McCaig's release, referencing his 27-count criminal record.
She said detention is required for the safety of the public and the administration of justice.
McCaig is to have no contact with the victim or the children, except through a third party or Child and Family Services.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 24 in Cold Lake Provincial Court.
