A traffic stop in Innisfail for a minor infraction turned into a brawl between the police officer and two women inside the truck and allegations of brutality..The passenger in the vehicle, Laura Phypers, a Red Deer lawyer, has been charged with attacking the RCMP officer and uttering threats..But Phypers law firm said the RCMP officer was to blame when they over-reacted to the situation..The drama began Saturday when a Mountie from the Innisfail RCMP was conducting patrols near the Innisfail Hospital and observed a speeding black truck drive through a stop sign..Police say a traffic stop was initiated and a subsequent investigation ensued as the driver was suspected of being impaired by alcohol.."The driver and passenger were both intoxicated, belligerent and verbally aggressive with the officer," the Alberta RCMP stated.."The driver was arrested for refusing to provide a breath sample but refused to exit the vehicle. When police attempted to remove the driver, the passenger grabbed the driver to prevent her from being arrested.".The driver was eventually removed from the vehicle. The passenger exited the vehicle and approached police in a fighting stance and threatened the member’s life, said the RCMP."The driver physically assaulted the member while he was attempting to bring both suspects under control," the Alberta RCMP said.. Laura PhypersLaura Phypers has worked on an array of criminal matters including fraud charges, impaired operation, drug trafficking and drug possession charges, assault and aggravated assault, firearms offences, home invasion and robbery, accessory after the fact of murder, and manslaughter. .The Mounties said the officer and the passenger both sustained injuries during the altercation..As a result of the investigation the driver, Desiree Friesen 24, a resident of Red Deer, has been charged with:.Dangerous operation of a Motor Vehicle;Assault Peace Officer;Resist Arrest; andProvincial refuse breath demand..Phypers, 37, a resident of Red Deer, has been charged with:.Assault Peace Officer;Obstruct Peace Officers; andUttering threats.. Desiree Friesen was the driverDesiree Friesen 24. .Phypers works for Advocate Law, the Western Standard has learned..Her law firm issued a statement to the Western Standard outlining their version of the story.."Out of deep respect for the justice system, Laura Phypers wishes to refrain from engaging in the public forum and trusts the facts will ultimately refute the allegations made against her. The RCMP, however, have made a press release that compels a response. On June 3rd, 2023 Laura Phypers, a prominent indigenous defence lawyer, was the passenger in a motor vehicle driven by her friend, Ms. Desiree Friesen, who is also indigenous," the statement reads.. Laura Phypers after traffic stopLaura Phypers after traffic stop ."A lone RCMP officer, Cst. Binnendyk, pulled the vehicle over and requested Ms. Friesen provide a mandatory alcohol screening sample. Ms. Friesen insisted the officer provide a clean straw on the device. ."Cst. Binnendyk immediately escalated to the use of extreme force to rip Ms. Friesen from the vehicle. Ms. Friesen, still wearing her seatbelt in the driver's seat, became entangled in her sweater and the seatbelt causing her to choke.".The statement said after Friesen was pulled out of the vehicle, Phypers went to her aid.. Laura Phypers after traffic stopLaura Phypers after traffic stop ."Cst. Binnendyk delivered no less than seven closed fist punches to the head and chest of Ms. Phypers. While road-side, Ms. Friesen was forced onto her face, and had her head slammed multiple times into the gravel. Ms. Phypers suffered from concussive symptoms, broken nose, muscle damage, and serious facial and cranial bruising. Ms. Friesen suffered bruising to her face, cranium, neck and back.".The Western Standard has reached out to the RCMP for comment but it wasn't received in time for publication..Phypers earned a bachelor’s degree and graduated with Great Distinctions from the University of Lethbridge. She also earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Calgary in 2019.."Throughout law school, Laura worked with Advocate Law and has quickly become a formidable defence lawyer and a fierce advocate for her clients," Advocate Law stated on its website..One of those clients appears to be Friesen.."If you want someone who will do everything in their power to help fight for you, Advocate has the group of Lawyers you're looking for," Friesen wrote in a five-star review of service on Advocate Law's website.."They're kind, compassionate and exceptional at what they do. You won't find a better team to fight for your rights and freedom.".Both Friesen and Phypers were held for judicial interim release hearings, where they were released by a Justice of the Peace on a release order to appear June 20, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.
A traffic stop in Innisfail for a minor infraction turned into a brawl between the police officer and two women inside the truck and allegations of brutality..The passenger in the vehicle, Laura Phypers, a Red Deer lawyer, has been charged with attacking the RCMP officer and uttering threats..But Phypers law firm said the RCMP officer was to blame when they over-reacted to the situation..The drama began Saturday when a Mountie from the Innisfail RCMP was conducting patrols near the Innisfail Hospital and observed a speeding black truck drive through a stop sign..Police say a traffic stop was initiated and a subsequent investigation ensued as the driver was suspected of being impaired by alcohol.."The driver and passenger were both intoxicated, belligerent and verbally aggressive with the officer," the Alberta RCMP stated.."The driver was arrested for refusing to provide a breath sample but refused to exit the vehicle. When police attempted to remove the driver, the passenger grabbed the driver to prevent her from being arrested.".The driver was eventually removed from the vehicle. The passenger exited the vehicle and approached police in a fighting stance and threatened the member’s life, said the RCMP."The driver physically assaulted the member while he was attempting to bring both suspects under control," the Alberta RCMP said.. Laura PhypersLaura Phypers has worked on an array of criminal matters including fraud charges, impaired operation, drug trafficking and drug possession charges, assault and aggravated assault, firearms offences, home invasion and robbery, accessory after the fact of murder, and manslaughter. .The Mounties said the officer and the passenger both sustained injuries during the altercation..As a result of the investigation the driver, Desiree Friesen 24, a resident of Red Deer, has been charged with:.Dangerous operation of a Motor Vehicle;Assault Peace Officer;Resist Arrest; andProvincial refuse breath demand..Phypers, 37, a resident of Red Deer, has been charged with:.Assault Peace Officer;Obstruct Peace Officers; andUttering threats.. Desiree Friesen was the driverDesiree Friesen 24. .Phypers works for Advocate Law, the Western Standard has learned..Her law firm issued a statement to the Western Standard outlining their version of the story.."Out of deep respect for the justice system, Laura Phypers wishes to refrain from engaging in the public forum and trusts the facts will ultimately refute the allegations made against her. The RCMP, however, have made a press release that compels a response. On June 3rd, 2023 Laura Phypers, a prominent indigenous defence lawyer, was the passenger in a motor vehicle driven by her friend, Ms. Desiree Friesen, who is also indigenous," the statement reads.. Laura Phypers after traffic stopLaura Phypers after traffic stop ."A lone RCMP officer, Cst. Binnendyk, pulled the vehicle over and requested Ms. Friesen provide a mandatory alcohol screening sample. Ms. Friesen insisted the officer provide a clean straw on the device. ."Cst. Binnendyk immediately escalated to the use of extreme force to rip Ms. Friesen from the vehicle. Ms. Friesen, still wearing her seatbelt in the driver's seat, became entangled in her sweater and the seatbelt causing her to choke.".The statement said after Friesen was pulled out of the vehicle, Phypers went to her aid.. Laura Phypers after traffic stopLaura Phypers after traffic stop ."Cst. Binnendyk delivered no less than seven closed fist punches to the head and chest of Ms. Phypers. While road-side, Ms. Friesen was forced onto her face, and had her head slammed multiple times into the gravel. Ms. Phypers suffered from concussive symptoms, broken nose, muscle damage, and serious facial and cranial bruising. Ms. Friesen suffered bruising to her face, cranium, neck and back.".The Western Standard has reached out to the RCMP for comment but it wasn't received in time for publication..Phypers earned a bachelor’s degree and graduated with Great Distinctions from the University of Lethbridge. She also earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Calgary in 2019.."Throughout law school, Laura worked with Advocate Law and has quickly become a formidable defence lawyer and a fierce advocate for her clients," Advocate Law stated on its website..One of those clients appears to be Friesen.."If you want someone who will do everything in their power to help fight for you, Advocate has the group of Lawyers you're looking for," Friesen wrote in a five-star review of service on Advocate Law's website.."They're kind, compassionate and exceptional at what they do. You won't find a better team to fight for your rights and freedom.".Both Friesen and Phypers were held for judicial interim release hearings, where they were released by a Justice of the Peace on a release order to appear June 20, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.
