Court decision helps dispel perception that victims are not being treated fairly Cornwall  

Cornwall Standard-Freeholder (On)  

Thursday, September 27, 2007 

Page: 6 Section:

Opinion 

I would like to correct a statement that was made at the conclusion of the trial of Steve Parisien. I had commented that it had been a long time since Cornwall had seen a victim receive a fair day in court. It was not untiI I read the quote that I realized that the statement alone did not communicate what I had intended to convey. I would like to take this opportunity to correct any misunderstanding about what I intended to say. 

As a member of the Cornwall community I have heard a lot lately about people thinking they were not getting a fair day at either court or the Cornwall Public Inquiry. This perception has permeated the public's perception about what really goes on in our courts and also, I believe, the inquiry. It is not correct. What I had intended to convey during the brief interview was that the outcome of Mr. Parisien's matter should dispel the perception that a victim who testifies, either at a trial or at the inquiry, is not being treated fairly. It is quite common to hear perceptions which are based on lack of information. I expect their viewpoint would be considerably altered if the people espousing these thoughts actually spent a few days observing how carefully our judges and lawyers try to safeguard the rights and personal dignity of every person brought before the system. 

As a trial lawyer, I have seen defence lawyers, Crown Attorneys and, perhaps most important, our judiciary ensure that a victim who testifies in a matter is treated fairly, given a voice and given the respect which every person (victim or accused) is due. Cornwall's perception that people do not get a fair day in court is not accurate. Further, this perception has unfairly painted a picture of both the courts and the inquiry being impersonal and somewhat heartless. Nothing could be further from the truth. 

I trust this clears up what I intended to say, and I thank you for this opportunity to clear the matter up. 

Bill Wade, 

Cornwall