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Thursday, December 06, 2007
Will Pickton Be Acquitted?
This latest development in the Robert Pickton trial is... somewhat concerning.
Here's the short version. Today, the Jury sent a question to the judge asking, "Are we able to say 'yes', if we infer that the accused acted indirectly?"
To translate that into English, their question was whether they kind find Pickton guilty if they cannot say, beyond a reasonable doubt, that Pickton killed the women - but are certian that he played a role in their deaths.
In response to this, the Judge issued a modified instruction to the Jury:
"If you find that Mr. Pickton shot Ms. Wilson or was otherwise and active participant in her killing you should find that the Crown has proven this element.
"On the other hand, if you have a reasonable doubt about whether or not he was an active participant in her killing you must return a verdict of not guilty.
Frankly, while I believe that this instruction is correct, it still concerns me gravely - as this whole matter does. I've predicted for a good while that Pickton would be acquitted. Don't get me wrong - I don't think that he's innocent - but I think that there's been something gravely wrong with how this case has been handled from end to end.
I have more thoughts on this, but I'm going to reserve them for a little but later.
Posted by Adam T. Yoshida on December 6, 2007 in Crime | Permalink
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Comments
Why are we wasting time and money on this guy? Can't we just give him the usual Canadian punishment and be done with him?
You know - 6 months house arrest and 500 hours community service.
Posted by: obc | 2007-12-06 9:08:04 PM
Odd for the judge to instruct the jury so, because Canadian law does allow you to be held guilty to the exact same level as the commission of a felony, even if you only materially assisted (aided & abetted).
This is how Hennessey & Cheeseman have been charged with 1st degree murder in the Mayerthorpe incident, even though they were not even at the scene when it happened.
To read the details of the case, and on how the law works in this instance, either google it, or visit:
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=a83a466a-c621-42b9-b2dc-69db0d9e7708
Posted by: Harph | 2007-12-06 10:20:09 PM
Fortunately the Canadian system doesn't have double jeopardy like the American system does.
That means, even though it's expensive, Pickton can be tried again.
Also, Pickton has a trial for other murders to face that were split from this trial.
He isn't about to be walking free so there isn't a worry of flight or committing another murder.
Posted by: Speller | 2007-12-06 10:32:13 PM
The justice system in Canada has become a scary comedy central.
The Keystone cops are alive an well and judges are a stupid as ever.
For even more of this vote Liberal in the next election.
Posted by: John | 2007-12-07 10:00:11 AM
With six charges of murder, it is possible that the jury is asking only about one or two of them.
Posted by: bigcitylib | 2007-12-07 12:57:38 PM
Most Canadians want him hung [if found guilty] he will not be and if found guilty of 50 or 500 murders lefties have set up trudeaupia so he can get parole in is it 15 17? yrs.
Olson has had more than one hearing. Whereas he should have been hung from the neck until dead.
There lies the bigger travesty.
It's the it's the victims fault be nice to the criminal attitude af the left that are the real injustice.
Posted by: dinosaur | 2007-12-07 1:14:03 PM
...welcome to the new Canada.
Any bets how far ClockWork Orange can be?
Posted by: tomax7 | 2007-12-08 10:11:22 AM
dinosaur - Most Canadians want him hung [if found guilty]
Actually I'd like to see him shot, and I suggest that obc be the one who pulls the trigger.
Posted by: O'REILLY | 2007-12-08 11:22:55 AM
Don't stand to close, O'Gotcha. I might be off my aim that day. :)
Posted by: obc | 2007-12-08 11:26:03 AM
I think he should be shot by an all female firing squad, drawn from our Canadian military.
That would show that you do not turn disadvantaged and dispossessed women into pig food.
Grrls Rule!
Posted by: Harph | 2007-12-08 11:43:05 AM
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