Chris Hawkins' sister, Shanda Tansowny (pictured with her brother), is upset the suspects in her brother's beating have entered guilty pleas to lesser charges. (Submitted photo/Shanda Tansowny)

By Cam Lee

Disappointment with guilty plea

Frustration after Melfort-area farm beating suspects plead guilty to lesser charge

Apr 15, 2024 | 11:29 AM

The sister of a man who was beaten at a Melfort-area farm and later died is frustrated and angry with the suspects pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

“I’m very disappointed, I’m not going to lie,” Shanda Tansowny told northeastNOW after the case was adjourned.

Peter McLean, 59, and Adam McLean, 35, both entered a plea of guilty to one count of assault causing bodily harm in Melfort Provincial Court Monday, April 15.

Both were originally charged with aggravated assault and forcible confinement, with Adam McLean also charged with assault with a weapon, after Chris Hawkins was beaten at the farm outside Melfort around noon Sept. 21, 2022. Tansowny maintains her brother, who was an agronomist, was looking for work when he went to the farm.

Hawkins was admitted to Melfort Hospital after the incident and was later transferred to hospital in Saskatoon due to bleeding in his abdomen. He was discharged about a month later, but Tansowny said he told her he still didn’t feel well. Hawkins went to hospital again a few days later but his internal bleeding couldn’t be stopped, and he died.

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An autopsy report said Hawkins’ death was linked to a pre-existing health condition, but Tansowny has maintained he wouldn’t have died had he not been beaten.

Tansowny said she had hoped with the video of the incident that the McLeans would “get what they deserved.”

“I’m disappointed that they are getting rid of some of the charges and bringing it down to something that will probably be a slap on the wrist,” said Tansowny. “I haven’t been able to have my brother for the last two years, and it’s not OK.”

Despite the emotion and heartbreak Tansowny and her family are feeling, she is determined to be front-and-centre at the sentencing hearing this summer.

“I am excited to stand right in front of (Peter and Adam McLean) and have them look me in the eye and listen to the pain that they’ve caused for not only myself, but my family, our friends, all of the people that love my brother,” Tansowny explained. “I just want them to know what they did was wrong, and I want them to truly believe that, and I don’t think that they do and that’s the part that I’m struggling with.”

Tansowny tearfully explained that her brother was an amazing, fun person to be around.

“He was a guy who lived life on the edge. He loved motorbikes, he was a bull rider for a period of time,” Tansowny said. Hawkins also loved agriculture and farmers, according to his sister.

“He always had the chat and was willing to sit down for a cup of coffee with a farmer, certainly,” said Tansowny.

Hawkins’s other interests included fishing and spending time outdoors. Tansowny said more than anything, her brother loved his son.

“There were so many people who loved him and cared for him and wanted to help him in his journey in life,” added Tansowny.

“He wasn’t perfect, but man he was loved.”

Sentencing will take place July 15.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

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