Witness Leroux won't be cross-examined 

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

11 September 2007

 The man who said he made up a story of prominent area men participating in a bizarre sexual ritual involving young boys in order to seek revenge on his alleged abusers won't be cross-examined at the Cornwall Public Inquiry.  

Ron Leroux had only just begun to answer questions by Allan Manson, an attorney representing the Citizens for Community Renewal, in June when the cross-examination was interrupted in order for the commission to review audio and video statements Leroux made to police in the past.  

Leroux never returned to the stand to complete cross-examination and Comm. Normand Glaude ruled Monday to force him to do so would be detrimental to the man's mental health. 

 On Monday, Glaude denied Leroux standing despite claims from the man's lawyer his client has a substantial interest in the work of the commission.

Glaude appeared unable to reconcile a suggestion Leroux would be mentally capable of following the inquiry and instructing an attorney.  

"He can't testify, but he will continue to follow this inquiry day by day?" asked Glaude.  Pradeep Chand, a lawyer who has been acting for Leroux on both the motion to have him excused from further testimony as well on the standing and funding application, said one had nothing to do with the other.  

"It is the position of two doctors he cannot continue (testifying)," said Chand. "He would be capable of instructing counsel."  

Glaude disagreed and told Chand he would only recommend funding to cover any legal expenses incurred by Leroux in relation to the motion about the completion of testimony.  

Glaude received reports from two different psychologists which suggest Leroux's mental health would deteriorate if he were forced to continue his testimony.