Inquiry Commissioner Seeking Second Opinion

August 16, 2007 — The commissioner at the Cornwall Public Inquiry is asking for a second opinion. Justice Normand Glaude would like to hear from a psychiatrist about whether or not a witness is able to finish testifying. Over the past few months, Commission Counsel has a received a number of letters from Ron Leroux's psychologist. Leroux's lawyer feels Leroux should be excused from upcoming cross-examination for health reasons. Leroux is a witness who has given conflicting evidence at the inquiry. Glaude, who will give his final decision late next week, says he wants a couple of questions answered in further assessment.

Leroux could be finished

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 08:00

Terri Saunders

Local News - The judge at the helm of the Cornwall Public Inquiry stopped just short of demanding a witness undergo an independent psychiatric assessment Wednesday.

Comm. Normand Glaude said he couldn't order Ron Leroux to be subjected to such an assessment but suggested one should be conducted before he rules on whether or not Leroux will be excused from the inquiry.

"I do not believe I have the authority to order that type of report," said Glaude. "(But) a further assessment would greatly assist me in determining this issue."

A lawyer acting for Leroux at the inquiry said Wednesday his client is not capable of continuing cross-examination and reports compiled by city psychologist Dr. Wayne Nadler support his position.

Those reports were presented to parties at the inquiry Wednesday, but their contents are protected by a confidentiality order as they contain sensitive personal medical information.

Leroux has told the commission he suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder but suggestions have been made the letters contain more than just a discussion of Leroux's mental health.

"These letters also include commentary on the conduct of the inquiry," said John Callaghan, an attorney representing the Cornwall Community Police Service. "There are a lot of allegations in (them) that having nothing to do with his (Leroux's) mental state."

Other lawyers shared Callaghan's concerns about the letters, suggesting Nadler made statements which necessitated responses from a number of parties at the inquiry.

"The contents of these letters are explosive," Diane Lahaie, an attorney representing the Ontario Provincial Police, told Glaude. "You should order an independent assessment of Mr. Leroux for his suitability to continue his cross-examination.

"There are dangerous allegations made in these letters which the parties should be given an opportunity to speak to."

Commission counsel told Glaude a psychologist was available immediately and could see Leroux as early as today. A report from that meeting could be filed with the inquiry sometime next week. Glaude said if an assessment is conducted, several issues should be addressed. He suggested the psychologist determine whether Leroux is fit to continue his cross-examination, what harm he would sustain if he was to continue and whether or not there are accommodations which could be made to ensure he completes questioning without suffering any long-term consequences.

Glaude has ordered Leroux to return to the inquiry Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. when a decision will be made as to whether he will be excused. If he does not complete cross-examination, it will be the second time a so-called "key witness" leaves the stand earlier than expected.

In February, David Silmser left the hearings at the start of his cross-examination and a doctor later reported to the commission Silmser was mentally incapable of completing questioning.

In a letter he later penned to Glaude, Silmser suggested he could complete cross-examination, but wasn't willing to do so.

In late June, Leroux testified about not only the sexual abuse he says he suffered as a child at the hands of several priests but also allegations he'd made in the past about having witnessed a "clan of pedophiles" at work in the Cornwall area.

Leroux has also said in the past he witnessed a group of prominent area men collectively sexually abusing young boys and even suggested he'd witnessed a bizarre sexual ritual involving boys, adult men, robes and candles.

While testifying at the inquiry, Leroux removed a number of names from a list of men he'd suggested in the past gathered together on an island just east of Cornwall. He also testified he never actually witnessed the sexual ritual he had described in detail in the past. "Is there a reason why you would (say) that you saw this with your own eyes?" Glaude asked Leroux during testimony June 26.

"Anger," said Leroux. "For being molested. I just wanted to get them back somehow, someway."

The inquiry will resume Monday at 2 p.m. when it's expected the commission will hear from a witness whose identity is protected by a confidentiality order.

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Inquiry judge wants psych assessment for witness:Project Truth commish must decide whether to excuse man from appearing 

16 August 2007 

By TERRI SAUNDERS, SUN MEDIA

CORNWALL — The judge at the helm of an inquiry probing the institutional response to allegations of systemic sexual abuse in the Cornwall area stopped just short Wednesday of demanding a witness undergo an independent psychiatric assessment.

Commissioner Normand Glaude said he couldn’t order Ron Leroux to be subjected to such an assessment but suggested one should be conducted before he rules on whether or not Leroux will be excused from the inquiry.

“I do not believe I have the authority to order that type of report,” said Glaude. “(But) a further assessment would greatly assist me in determining this issue.”

A lawyer acting for Leroux at the inquiry argued Wednesday his client is not capable of continuing cross-examination and reports compiled by psychologist Dr. Wayne Nadler support his position.

Those reports were presented to parties at the inquiry Wednesday, but their contents are protected by a confidentiality order as they contain sensitive personal medical information.

Commission counsel told Glaude a psychologist was available immediately and could see Leroux as early as Thursday.

A report from that meeting could be filed with the inquiry sometime next week.

Glaude said if an assessment is conducted, the psychologist should determine whether Leroux is fit to continue his cross-examination, what harm he would sustain if he was to continue and whether or not there are accommodations which could be made to ensure he completes questioning without suffering any long-term consequences.

Glaude has ordered Leroux to return to the inquiry Aug. 23 when a decision will be made as to whether he will be excused.

If he does not complete cross-examination, it will be the second time a so-called “key witness” leaves the stand earlier than expected.

In February, David Silmser left the hearings at the start of his cross-examination and a doctor later reported to the commission Silmser was mentally incapable of completing questioning.

In late June, Leroux testified about not only the sexual abuse he says he suffered as a child at the hands of several priests but also allegations he’d made in the past about having witnessed a “clan of pedophiles” at work in the Cornwall area.

Leroux has also said in the past he witnessed a group of prominent area men collectively sexually abusing young boys and even suggested he’d witnessed a bizarre sexual ritual involving boys, adult men, robes and candles.

While testifying at the inquiry, Leroux removed a number of names from a list of men he’d previously suggested gathered together on an island just east of Cornwall.

He also testified he never actually witnessed the sexual ritual he had described in detail in the past.

The inquiry will resume Monday.