Possible Conflict Of Interest Causes Former Lawyer To Remove Himself- Inquiry

Local News - AM 1220 

January 27, 2009 — A former lawyer had to remove himself from a child sex abuse case in Cornwall because he was friends with a possible witness. Justice Robert Pelletier told the Cornwall Public Inquiry he could not continue prosecuting charges against a city priest in the 1990's. He says some members of the community alleged Cornwall Crown Murray MacDonald was trying to obstruct justice but those allegations were never proven. Pelletier says MacDonald may have been called as a witness which could be a conflict of interest because he knew MacDonald personally and professionally. (Hear audio clip below) Hearings continue at 9:30 this morning. 

 [Transcript of audio clip:  “ by the late spring of 1999 it became obvious that Mr. MacDonald, though not necessarily, may possibly have to testify and that I could not be cross-examining a colleague and good friend.”]