“Decision In Leroux Trial Expected Tuesday Afternoon” & related article

Share Button

MBC Radio

04 November 2013

Written by Fraser Needham

A number of families in northwestern Saskatchewan were anxiously awaiting the decision in the Paul Leroux trial on Tuesday.

Leroux is charged with a number of sex crimes which date back to his time as a boys’ dormitory supervisor at the Beauval Indian Residential School in the 1960’s.

Prosecutor Mitch Piche says the length of time that has passed has not posed any special challenges for the Crown.

“Well, that’s precisely one of the challenges is the length of time that has passed,” he says. “Although, I was surprised quite frankly by the detail of a lot of the memories from these men who were just boys at the time that this happened.”

As part of his defence, Leroux tried to focus on small inconsistencies in the testimony of his accusers but Piche says much of what the former dorm supervisor dwelt on was irrelevant to the case at hand.

“To me, to ask a young boy – who was then 9, 10, 11, 13 – to remember that name is an irrelevant inconsistency.”

He adds he was not overly surprised that Leroux, who represented himself at the trial, continued to deny all allegations against him as well as times, dates and places throughout the course of the proceedings.

In 1998, Leroux was convicted of a number of sex crimes that dated back to his time as a dormitory supervisor at a residential school in Inuvik during the 1970’s.

A decision is expected about 2 p.m. on Monday afternoon at Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench.

______________________________________

Paul Leroux verdict expected today

CBC News

Posted: Nov 05, 2013 12:50 PM CT Last Updated: Nov 05, 2013 12:50 PM CT

A former dormitory supervisor who is accused of sexually abusing boys will hear later today whether a judge finds him guilty or not.

Paul Leroux is accused of molesting 14 boys at the residential school in Beauval, Sask. nearly 50 years ago.

Leroux represented himself at the trial, which wrapped up in Battleford, Sask. last week. In closing arguments, he denied all the charges.

The judge’s decision will be handed down early this afternoon.

In 1998 Leroux was sentenced to 10 years in prison for abusing boys and young men at Grollier Hall, a residential school in Inuvik run by the Roman Catholic Church. Those convictions were for gross indecency, indecent assault and attempted buggery between 1967 and 1979.

Leroux worked as an activities supervisor and guidance counsellor at Grollier.

7 Responses to “Decision In Leroux Trial Expected Tuesday Afternoon” & related article

  1. Sylvia says:

    The verdict is to be handed down at 2 pm Battleford, Saskatchewan time. That means that right now the judge is probably reading through the verdict and people are waiting with baited breath to find out what it is.

  2. 1yellowknife says:

    CBC.ca (Saskatchewan)
    Ex-residential school worker convicted of abusing boys

    B.C. man worked at Beauval Residential School 5 decades ago

    http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/ex-residential-school-worker-convicted-of-abusing-boys-1.2415810

  3. 1yellowknife says:

    Thanks to those who ensured that prompt media report which made this important development available and known across Canada. Prayers for the Beauval School victims and the Grollier Hall victims and their families. Very emotional times for all concerned.

  4. Sylvia says:

    From MBC. I will post later. Note that seven charges were thrown out, and sentencing date is 05 December 2013:

    Former Residential School Dorm Supervisor Found Guilty Of Assaulting
    MBC Radio

    Written by Fraser Needham
    Tuesday, 05 November 2013 09:44

    A former boys’ dorm supervisor at the Beauval Indian Residential School has been found guilty on ten of 17 charges laid against him.

    The verdict was handed down this afternoon in Battleford Court of Queen’s Bench.

    Seventy-two-year-old Paul Leroux was convicted of eight counts of sexual assault and two counts of gross indecency.

    A total of seven charges laid against Leroux were thrown out.

    Leroux worked at the school in the 1960’s.

    He will return to court on December 5th for sentencing.

    A judge is now deciding if Leroux will be in custody until that date.

  5. Sylvia says:

    I just read that he has been taken into custody until sentencing – I will post the article.

Leave a Reply