Father Daniel Miller has a court date this afternoon (Friday 19 April 2013) at 2 pm in the Pembroke Ontario courthouse. This, again, is “to be spoken to.” I think it’s strange it is scheduled for 2 pm. Were I free to go I would be there for sure. The chances are that this will again be no more thant he setting of another date, but, I would like to have been there to see what exactly is going on.
Please, as always, keep the complainants in your prayers. And, please, as always, pass on any news or links regarding the outcome.
*****
Mike Fitzgerald has been busy! Here is a letter he received from the Minister of Justice:
April 2013: Letter from the Honourable Rob Nicholson (Minister of Justice) to Michael James Fitzgerald
There is interesting information there regarding the government’s intent to toughen penalties for child sexual offenses and to end sentencing discounts for child sex offenders.
Good news indeed. Every little bit is a step in the right direction.
Well done Mike!
*****
And very good news from New Brunswick….
The New Brunswick Court of Appeal has dismissed Father Charles Picot‘s attempt to scrounge an acquittal on his conviction on the Derek LaPointe charges:
18 April 2013: New Brunswick Court of Appeal dismissal of Father Charles Picot’s appeal (re Derek LaPointe charges)
Derek, I am relieved for you.
As we know Father Picot seems to have found some very deep pockets to appeal, appeal, appeal. When the New Brunswick Court of Appeal ordered him back to trial on the Michael Jensen charge, he appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada. The Supreme Court justices restored his acquittal in the Michael Jensen charges.
19 October 2012: R. v. Picot – Supreme Court of Canada Decision – Acquittal by New Brunswick Court of Queen’s Bench upheld
I had deep trouble with that decision. But, for Picot, it worked. Michael has nowhere to go to appeal. It’s over.
I am hoping and praying that Father Picot doesn’t head off to the Supreme Court again.
*****
And speaking of the Supreme Court of Canada, there is a case which is of interest to all which is to be heard on Monday, 22 April 2013:
Her Majesty the Queen v. Ernest Fenwick MacIntosh (Supreme Court of Canada) for 22 April 2013
This is of particular interest in that it relates to (1) a fugitive from justice and a very belated extradition; and (2) the Charter and the right of an accused to ‘speedy trial.’
In this case, a warrant was put out for MacIntosh’s arrest in 1997, and. for whatever reason, a formal request for his extradition from India was not made until 2006.When his case finally wnet to trial MacIntosh successfully and unbelievably claimed his right to a speedy trial had been violated and had all of his sex abuse charges stayed.
The whole extradition business is reminiscent of the Father Eric Dejaeger fiasco.
As for the stay, it is somewhat reminiscent of the stays awarded to both lawyer and Church canon lawyer Jacques Leduc and ‘Cornwall’ priest Father Charles MacDonald, both of whom ‘walked’ after a judge concurred with arguments that their Charter right to a speedy trial had been violated.
I am very interested in what the Supreme Court will do with this. Why any real or alleged molester can “walk” from a courthouse a free man because a judge believes his Charter right to a speedy trial has been violated is totally beyond me. Let’s pray that common sense prevails.
As for the while issue of why extradition was not pursued, – I don’t know that we will be any the wiser after the hearing as to why it wasn’t pursued by the government, but, ……perhaps?
*****
What terrible terrible tragedies in the United States over the past few days. And it’s not over.
Yes, I am watching what and when I can, as I am sure most of you are.
My heart goes out to all those who are suffering, both in Boston and in Texas.
Enough for now,
Sylvia