Judge dismisses Parisien charges

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

22 September 2007

Posted By Trevor Pritchard

A judge has dismissed an obstruction of justice charge against Steve Parisien, one of the crusaders who brought the Cornwall Public Inquiry into existence.

Applause broke out among Parisien's 20 or so supporters after Judge James Fontana delivered his verdict Friday afternoon.

Parisien was facing allegations he phoned abuse victim Albert Roy last December and told him he could have "memory lapses" if he was asked questions at the inquiry which he didn't want to answer.

In his decision, Fontana called that late-night call "legally foolhardy" but said there was insufficient proof the well-known victims' advocate had encouraged Roy to lie on the stand.

"I must find, out of an abundance of caution, that the evidence is inconclusive and that there is an absence of motive on the part of the accused," said Fontana.

Parisien, who was abused himself as a child, remained composed as Fontana made his remarks. Outside the courthouse, Parisien was swarmed by supporters who hugged him and shook his hand.

His lawyer, Bill Wade, said the decision would go a long way to restoring Parisien's reputation as a staunch defender of the rights of abuse victims.

"Steve is really, really pleased that finally he'll be vindicated," said Wade. "It's something Cornwall really hasn't seen in awhile, where a victim really does get a fair day in court."

Parisien declined to be interviewed.

During the two-day trial earlier this month, testimony had focused upon whether the inquiry, which is examining institutional response to historical child abuse allegations in the Cornwall area, had gone "off the rails."

Prosecutor Jay Spare had argued Parisien might have been motivated by a desire to bring the inquiry back "on line" when he called Roy on Dec. 4, 2006.

Parisien testified he was only calling Roy because he was concerned about his mental health.

On Friday, Fontana concluded that regardless of whether the inquiry had deviated from its mandate, it was a "side issue" and largely irrelevant to the obstruction charge.

More significant, he said, was the fact Parisien neither bribed nor threatened Roy - two elements which are necessary to prove obstruction of justice under Sec. 139.3 of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Parisien's supporters never wavered in their belief he would be exonerated, said Dallas Lee, an attorney who represents The Victims Group.

"There should be a rather long line of people waiting to apologize to Steve," said Lee. "This has not been easy on him. This has not been easy on him at all."

But the very fact the trial went ahead has caused some victims to reconsider testifying at the inquiry, he added.

"I know a number of clients who've approached me and said it's impacted the way they think of the inquiry," said Lee. "People have said there's absolutely no way I'd consider participating in the inquiry process if that's how victims are treated," he said.

Parisien spent several years convincing the province to form an inquiry, and was at Queen's Park in 2004 when Premier Dalton McGuinty announced one would be launched.

He was recognized this July by the Men's Project, an Ottawa-based counselling service, for his support with adult male survivors of sexual abuse.

Charges against Parisien dismissed

Cornwall Standard Freeholder

21 September 2007

Cornwall (Staff)

The obstruction of justice charge against Steve Parisien, one of the crusaders for the Cornwall Public Inquiry, has been dismissed.

In his decision this afternoon, Judge James Fontana said there was not enough evidence to convict Parisien, who had been accused of calling abuse victim Albert Roy last December and advising him to have "memory lapses" during his testimony at the inquiry.

"I must find, out of an abundance of caution, that the evidence is inconclusive and that there is an absence of motive on the part of the accused," said Fontana.

An emotional Parisien had no comment, but his lawyer, Bill Wade, said his client's reputation as a strong supporter of abuse victims had been vindicated.

"Steve is really, really pleased that finally he'll be vindicated," said Wade. "It's something Cornwall really hasn't seen in awhile, where a victim gets a fair day in court."

Charge Against Steve Parisien Dismissed

Cornwall News AM 1220

September 21, 2007 — An obstruction of justice charge against Victim's Group member Steve Parisien has been dismissed. In his ruling this afternoon, Judge James Fontana says there was an absence of motive when Parisien phoned Cornwall Public Inquiry witness Albert Roy on December 4th, 2006. Fontana says Parisien's actions suggesting Roy could "take the fifth" at the inquiry were "meddlesome" and "foolhardy" at best but he questioned whether they were criminal. Judge Fontana added testimony about the inquiry being a "Perry Dunlop witchhunt" merely clouded the issue. Defense lawyer Bill Wade says his client is really, really pleased with Fontana's ruling.

Parisien Ruling Doesn’t Surprise Victim’s Group Lawyer

September 21, 2007 — The lawyer for the Victim's Group at the Cornwall Public Inquiry is not surprised by today's ruling on the Steve Parisien matter. Dallas Lee says he was confident from the beginning that Parisien was innocent. He tells AM 1220 News his opinion never changed. He adds the decision affects him on a couple of levels. An obstruction of justice charge was dismissed against Parisien.