[DrCaleb]

Quote:

The Crown entered stays-of-proceedings Friday on two charges faced by Sgt. Kevin Douglas because they say the complainant, Todd Checknita, said he wouldn't attend the trial.

Checknita denies ever definitively telling the Crown he wouldn't appear in court, only that he was having trouble getting a flight to Edmonton. He showed up in court on Monday only to learn that there would be no trial.

His lawyer is asking the Crown to reactivate the charges, but Chief Crown Prosecutor Lloyd Robertson said that will not happen.

"There's no possibility the Crown will reverse its decision," he said. "That would be improper, highly improper for the Crown to do this."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/ ... knita.html

Now, before anone goes off that I am a "cop hater" - I'm not. Perhaps there was no reason to charge this officer. Perhaps there is no merit in the case. But to cancel it because the defendent isn't going to show up, and then he shows up - stinks.

I'm just citing both this story, and the lack of media coverage about it as examples of why people are losing trust in the people we should be trusting most.

[Freakinoldguy]

I agree. This is bullshit.

The guy wasn't found not guilty, the charges were stayed, which, unless they've changed the legal terminology means the proceedings are suspended, not dropped.

So legally if the crown desires the charges can be brought up again, but, it sounds like there's some reason why the crown doesn't want to do that which given the fact that perception is the factor here makes it look like a consipiracy between the crown and the police.

[DrCaleb]

Freakinoldguy wrote:

So legally if the crown desires the charges can be brought up again, but, it sounds like there's some reason why the crown doesn't want to do that which given the fact that perception is the factor here makes it look like a consipiracy between the crown and the police.

This.

And to stay the charges before the trial begins also smells funny.