Some “good” news from the courts this week. One trial date has been set, and one date set for a preliminary hearing. Here then are the updates:
(1) Father Stephen Amesse (Archdiocese of Ottawa, Ontario)
A date for a Preliminary Hearing has been set:
21 December 2015: 10 am, courtroom #2, Preliminary Hearing, Ottawa Ontario courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
As I said elsewhere, that is good news on the one hand, but, bad news on the other, at least bad for those who wold like to attend the hearing: it is a mere four days before Christmas! By Monday of Christmas week school is out and most people are either on the road, or getting ready to travel, or busily cooking, baking, shopping and/or preparing for the arrival of family.
Anyway, that’s the day.
The court has been booked for one day.
And, yes, preliminary hearings are open to the public, but are generally always under a publication ban on all evidence and testimony. The public can attend. The media can attend. No one, however, can publicly report any of the evidence or testimony.
The hearing will be an opportunity for defence to see how witnesses stand up to cross-examination, and, yes, to a degree the same holds true for the Crown.
After the hearing the judge will decide if he/she believes their is sufficient evidence to go to trial and will rule accordingly. Sometimes the decision is rendered right then and there, and sometimes the judge chooses to reserve the decision to a later date.
So, those who can make it to the Ottawa courthouse at that time of year, mark your calendar now!
(2) Father Yvon Arsenault (Archdiocese of Moncton, New Brunswick)
14 September 2015: TRIAL by judge and jury, Moncton Courthouse Moncton NB (45 Assumption Blvd)
Good news indeed! A trial date! What a merciful relief for all.
Interesting, witness the following, there is also a courtdate for Father Arsenault in the Miramichi this coming Thursday (05 March), apparently on another charge or set of charges:
05 March 2015: 09:30 am, courtroom #2, “for election”, Miramichi Law Courts (673 King George Highway, Miramichi, NB)
As I said earlier, I will try over the next few days to find out what is happening here.We may find out on Thursday – he will be deciding in the Miramichi court if wants trial by judge, or trial by judge and jury in relation to whatever charges he is facing from that law enforcement jurisdiction. Whether or not these charges will proceed separately or be merged/married to the charges in Moncton and brought to trial with them in September I do not know. I suspect the latter, but that is guesswork on my part. Hopefully there will be media in court on Thursday so that we can find out.
And, speaking of media, has anyone seen any coverage of Father Arsesnault’s courtdate of yesterday (02 March) in Moncton? I have looked around a bit, – could find nothing.
Keep the complainants in your prayers.
(3) Father Gary Hoskins
01 June 2015: 10 am, “to set a trial date,” Corner Brook Superior Court (81 Mt. Bernard Avenue.), Corner Brook, Newfoundland
It’s lucky that things have moved along a little here. The courthouse in Corner Brook was closed this morning because of weather. As you know, Atlantic Canada has been hammered by one snow storm after the other this year. It’s been quite a winter. I am sure by now people are fed up digging out cars, doors and walkways. One big storm is a bit exciting (as long as everyone is safe and warm), but one after the other like this is just a bit too much.
Anyway, the courthouse was open this afternoon, and life goes on…
Please keep the complainant in your prayers.
(4) Eric Dejaeger omi (ex Oblate Priest who is still an Oblate)
17 March 2015: 09:30 am, “to speak to,” Iqaluit courthouse, Iqaluit, Nunavut
Will this be the day the plea bargain on the Edmonton charges is addressed? the day Dejaeger enters a guilty plea to a sweet deal which whittled away the charges?
We shall see..
Keep the complainants in your prayers.
*****
Remember that the two-day trial of of Father Abraham Azhakathu mst starts on Thursday 05 March 2015 in Peace River Saskatchewan.
Father Azhakathu is a priest with the Missionary Society of St. Thomas, a Syro-Malabar missionary order of priests based in India. He had been serving in the Archdiocese of Grouard –McLennan, Alberta.
I just realized that I don’t have a start time. I shall try to get that.
Here are the details:
05 March 2015: 10 am, TRIAL booked for two days, Court of Queen’s Bench (Superior court), Peace River, Saskatchewan
Please keep the complainant in your prayers.
*****
Despite what I had to say I ended up finding and adding a few more files and pictures to the Nathan Labatt page.
Here are a few:
20-28 May 2014: Part of Regina Archdiocese team conducting retreats in Swift Current and Moose Jaw)
21 April 2012: (Creating Youth Friendly Parishes)
02 (?)-26 August 2011: Madrid Spain for World Youth Day. Nathan Labatt was one of 40 “young pilgrims” from the Archdiocese of Regina who attended the event. That’s him with the tie in the front row: Page from Arch– Nathan Labatt one of Archdiocese of Regina’s 40 “pilgrims” to World Youth Day in Madrid Spain
Article on Archdiocese of Regina’s website re WYD: Archdiocese of Regina World Youth Day Pilgrims
Enough for now.
Sylvia