Has Interest Been Lost In Cornwall Public Inquiry?

AM 1220

 January 09, 2009 — With only 16 hearing days left to go at the Cornwall Public Inquiry before they wrap things up, the pressure is on to finish witness testimony. Lead Commission Council Peter Engelmann says that means sitting longer days and being more selective with who they call to the stand. Engelmann spoke on John Bolton's Cornwall Today and admits that due to its three year length, this inquiry has been difficult to follow. (Hear audio clip below) Engelmann hopes that the inquiry's legacy will be that Cornwall is now an example of how to properly deal with sexual abuse allegations. 

[Transcript of audio clip: 

Bolton:  It’s gone on so long now, what is your feeling? do you think people still care at this point? 

Engelmann :  I think a number of people still care.  I mean, we still get a lot of emails John – a lot of phone calls.  But that is a problem, if public inquiry takes too long people can lose interest.]

AM 1220

January 09, 2009 — Did "reasonable doubt" play a role in why a priest was acquitted of sexual abuse in Cornwall but later convicted in Quebec? Assistant Crown attorney Alain Godin told the Cornwall Public Inquiry yesterday that he prosecuted a number of Project Truth cases in the 1990s including Father Paul Lapierre. Lapierre was acquitted in Ontario in 2001 but was later found guilty of similar charges involving the same complainant in a Quebec court. Godin says Lapierre was not convicted in Ontario because he testified and defended himself. Lapierre did not testify at his Quebec trial. (Hear audio below) Hearings continue this morning at 9:30am.