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Previous on Quennell: 2004
he shows he is just another Saskatoon lawyer (stories
written by reporters across the country regarding Frank Quennell's
press conference to announce he would appeal Klassen/Kvello civil
suit) | StarPhoenix editorials
Update
to sermonette where we predicted Quennell"s political demise:
we were wrong! | Milgaard Inquiry
Even as millions are spent
on this inquiry into a 37 year old murder, two prime examples
of how wrongful convictions occur are unfolding in Saskatoon.
Wilfred Hathway is having
his defence severely handicapped as prosecutor Brent Klause has
successfully obtained an order from now Chief Justice Robert
Laing to keep disclosure out of the hands of his defence team.
Denver Crawford's
memory is not being well served. Material has surfaced which
indicates Dominic McCullock's
lawyer, Mark Brayford, did not provide a vigorous defence for
his client who was convicted of killing Jaime
Wheeler. This brutal murder was described as savage, committed
by a dangerous person, by Judge Laing, even though the conviction
was for second degree murder. This raises again the 2000 conviction
of Leon Walchuk who has steadfastly
maintained his innocence in the murder of his wife and whose
appeals have been turned down, despite evidence not presented
at trial which would show serious flaws in the Crown's case.
Frank Quennell,
2005
- Milgaard inquiry to
get more money
Quennell
James Wood, The StarPhoenix,
March 2, 2005
REGINA -- The provincial government
is boosting the budget for the inquiry into the wrongful conviction
of David Milgaard and setting aside money for the possible settlement
of outstanding lawsuits in the Martensville malicious prosecution
case, Justice Minister Frank Quennell said Tuesday.
The Justice Department is getting
$1.4 million in additional funding as part of $140 million in
special warrants for spending approved by the provincial cabinet
last week as the end of the fiscal year looms on March 31.
Quennell said $700,000 of that
amount will top up the $2 million budget for the Milgaard inquiry
for 2004-05, while another allocation for the inquiry will still
be made in the upcoming provincial budget.
"It was a rough estimate
at the beginning and when we got their schedule in January it
appeared it was underestimated," he said in a phone interview
from Humboldt.
Of the remainder, $450,000
has been set aside in case settlements can be agreed on with
the three remaining plaintiffs in the Martensville case, said
Quennell.
"That could happen. If
it was impossible for that to happen we wouldn't have to put
aside any amount for it," he said.
Group home operators Ron and
Linda Sterling, a youth and five police officers were charged
with 180 criminal offences alleging ritual sex abuse against
children at the Sterling's day care in 1992.
The plaintiffs were tried and
acquitted on all charges. Charges against some of the police
officers were stayed after the Sterling acquittals. The entire
file yielded one conviction of sexual assault.
After the launch of lawsuits
for malicious prosecution, the province paid $925,000 as part
of a $1.3 million settlement reached in November with Ron and
Linda Sterling and the plaintiff who was a youth at the time.
One of the police officers, John Popowich, sued and in 2002 was
awarded $1.3 million.
Three other police officers,
Darren Sabourin, Jim Elstad and Ed Revesz, are the remaining
plaintiffs.
Lawyers for the three said
they have not reached any settlements with the government.
"Discussions are ongoing,"
but no decisions have been made, said Lee Cutforth, who represents
Sabourin.
Elstad's lawyer, Richard Gabruch,
said the "litigation is proceeding" and he's preparing
for the examination for discovery process next month.
Bill Roe, the lawyer for Revesz,
also said he hasn't heard anything about a settlement for his
client.
The remaining $250,000 in the
special warrant for Justice is also connected with the Martensville
case as legal fees for the public prosecutors who were sued.
Out of the other special warrants
for spending approved last week, the largest expenditure is $101,200,000
for the province's share of funding for the Canadian Agricultural
Income Stabilization program, which was announced last December.
Finance Department spokesperson
Mike Woods said the use of special warrants to cover costs not
incurred in the provincial budget is common at year-end. The
government must ensure spending is booked into the correct fiscal
year.
Finance Minister Harry Van
Mulligen recently projected a year-end surplus of about $289
million. The special warrants passed this week will not affect
that projection, he said Tuesday.
Among the additional spending
in the warrants was $7 million for the Saskatchewan Property
Management Corp. as it starts buying vehicles outright for the
provincial fleet rather than leasing with the option to buy.
SPMC spokesperson Nadine Sisk
said the changes are expected to save the government $1.2 million
during the next five years.
The premier's office is also
getting a boost, with Executive Council receiving an additional
$305,000 to help pay for the reorganization of the communications
division and chief of staff position.
Winter maintenance also cost
the Highways Department an additional $6 million because of greater
than expected winter storms.
Industry and Resources received
an additional $4.5 million, part of which is being used to forgive
a $2.8-million loan owed to the province by the Saskatchewan
Roughriders.
jwood@thesp.com
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2005
U of S grad Dyck appointed
to bench
The StarPhoenix, April
08, 2005
Lorna Denise Dyck has been
appointed a judge of the provincial court in Melfort, Saskatchewan
Justice said Thursday.
Dyck received her law degree
from the University of Saskatchewan in 1985.
She articled with Saskatchewan
Justice and began practising law as a Crown prosecutor in Regina.
After two years in private
practice with Pederson, Rourke & Co. in Saskatoon, Dyck returned
to public prosecutions in Melfort, Saskatoon and Prince Albert.
In Melfort, Dyck was a board
member of the Northeast Crisis Centre and a member of the Melfort
Arts Council. In Prince Albert, she was chair of the serious
habitual offender comprehensive action program committee and
involved in the pre-charge screening program.
"Judge Dyck's experience
in the private bar and as a senior Crown prosecutor will serve
her well in her new role as a provincial court judge," Justice
Minister Frank Quennell said.
Appointment of Lorna Denise
Dyck.
© The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon) 2005
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Truth can never be
told so as to be understood, and not be believ'd. William Blake, The Proverbs of Hell
