Author: Shelly W

Categories
Canada

Should a Wrongful Conviction Mean Financial Compensation?

wrongful conviction, financial compensation
wrongful conviction, financial compensation

Should a wrongful conviction mean financial compensation? 67 year old Ivan Henry believes so. When Henry was arrested and then convicted in 1983 for 3 rape charges, 2 attempted rape charges, and 5 indecent assault charges he kept declaring his innocence but no one listened. The fact that 8 women were assaulted in the time period between May of 1981 and June of 1982 was not in dispute, but Ivan Henry was the victim of a wrongful conviction. After being convicted Henry was declared to be a dangerous offender by the court, and his sentence included an indefinite incarceration period. After an astonishing 55 appeal applications were filed Henry was finally fully acquitted on all of the convictions in October of 2010.

Does the wrongful conviction of Ivan Henry require financial compensation though? The answer will depend on the top court, who will hear the Henry case to determine whether the charter rights of Iva were violated by the Crown. While Henry was incarcerated another suspect was arrested by police, and Donald James McRae entered a guilty plea to assaulting 3 women in the very same neighborhood that the crimes Ivan was convicted for occurred. There have been wrongful convictions which resulted in an even longer period of incarceration, such as Romeo Phillion who fought for 31 years to be acquitted and freed from prison. The decision of the high court could go either way, and Ivan Henry could receive the financial compensation that he feels he is entitled to or he could walk away with a decision that offers nothing but condolences.

Categories
Ft Mac

Wood Buffalo Cab Driver the Victim of Assault

RCMP, Wood Buffalo cab driver
RCMP, Wood Buffalo cab driver

A Wood Buffalo cab driver was he victim of an assault early Thursday, and the RCMP is still investigating the incident. Not only was the driver assaulted by his passengers but one of the passengers also stole the cab as well. The crime happened at around 3 am on Thursday morning according to the report. The cab driver was a Co-Op Taxi Driver, and he received a fare to drive some passengers home. One of the passengers in the cab started to assault the Wood Buffalo cab driver, forcing the driver to leave the cab for his own safety. The other passengers also got out of the cab, and the passenger who assaulted the driver left the scene driving the taxi cab.

The RCMP eventually located the stolen cab, and the suspect in the assault and taxi cab theft is a male. This is the only information provided by the RCMP so far, and it is not known whether the Wood Buffalo cab driver required medical treatment for any injuries related to the assault. None of the other passengers in the taxi cab are expected to be charged for the incident, the assault was the action of a single suspect and not a group effort. The case is still under investigation by the RCMP and law enforcement is asking for the public to help by calling in if they have any information about this incident. The number for the local RCMP office is 780-788-4000. Members of the public can also call in any tips to the Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-222-8477.

Categories
Canada

Luka Magnotta Almost Caught Disposing of Jun Lin’s Head

Luka Magnotta, Jun Lin, murder
Luka Magnotta, Jun Lin, murder

The Luka Magnotta trial for the murder of Jun Lin continues, and the former pornography star admitted on the stand that he was almost caught by people in the area when he went to a Montreal Park in order to dispose of the head of Jun Lin. Luka Magnotta has entered an insanity defence, and he has admitted committing the murder and dismembering the body of Jun Lin among other crimes. The defendant says that he dumped the head of the victim because it was sending him messages, and a psychiatrist has diagnosed Magnotta as being a paranoid schizophrenic. Luka is hoping that the jury agrees and find shim not criminally responsible for the crime.

According to the confession that Luka Magnotta made about the murder of Jun Lin the victim had his throat slashed and then his body was dismembered. Magnotta admitted to having sex with the body parts and then sending the pieces across the country in the mail. Marie-Frederique Allard, the psychiatrist treating Luka Magnotta, made a record of the close call and then diagnosed the defendant with schizophrenia and determined he was not able to form criminal intent. Louis Bouthillier, the prosecutor on the case, believes that Luka Magnotta is criminally responsible for the murder of Jun Lin. Bouthillier questioned the psychiatrist, asking her “Why did he leave? Did he tell you why he left?” Allard responded “Because he went to bring the head to the park. He didn’t want to be seen.” The prosecutor then responded “Why didn’t he want to be seen? Because he knew it was wrong to walk around with a head?” Allard has also admitted that Luka Magnotta has repeatedly lied to psychiatrists, including herself.

Categories
Ft Mac Health

Dementia Patient’s Family Disturbed by Their Discovery

Fort MacMurray hospital, medical care concerns
Fort MacMurray hospital, medical care concerns

The family of a dementia patient at the Fort MacMurray hospital has medical care concerns about the patient after a recent visit. When Toni Stacey and her sister stopped at the Fort MacMurray hospital to visit with their mother they were disturbed to find her with a fungal growth on her hands, and the Facebook post that Toni posted also described her beloved mother as sitting in feces and smelling of urine. Instead of just worrying Stacey took pictures of the fungus on her mother’s hand and posted a message to Stephen Mendel on Facebook. Since her mother has dementia Stacey and her sister placed their mother in the hospital in Fort MacMurray on the continuing care floor. Toni stated “As we were going through her feet and hands we were, like, ‘wow, what is this’?” The photos on Facebook show what appears to be a covering of fungus on the skin of the patient’s hand.

The medical care concerns about Fort MacMurray hospital are not limited to Toni Stacey and her sister, others have spoken out about the problems experienced by long term care patients. There is no other option for long term care in the Fort MacMurray area, so some feel like they have no options. Stacey explained “It’s heartbreaking. Because you know what? I was forced to put my mom in there. Something is failing. Something is falling down. Somebody needs to step in. Somebody needs to take care of this problem.” According to AHS spokesperson Shelley Pusch “As soon as we were made aware of the family’s concerns, we had a physician assess her and make sure she is being cared for appropriately. And we are confident that is the case.”

Categories
Ft Mac Health

Bundle Up Fort MacMurray Residents, Winter Weather Has Arrived

Fort MacMurray, winter weather
Fort MacMurray, winter weather

Fort MacMurray residents will need to bundle up because winter weather has arrived. With temperatures for the next 5-7 days to be quite cold it is time for residents in the area to start wearing warmer clothing and preparing before they head out into the elements. The winter weather in Fort MacMurray can get quite severe, with frigid temperatures that can be bitterly cold. On top of this is the high winds that can whip through the region, the ice and snow that makes travel difficult and dangerous, and winter storms that can become severe very quickly. It is important to remember hats, gloves, scarves, and other outer clothing designed to protect you from the cold and wet environment. In some cases failing to dress properly for the weather can have disastrous results.

A common mistake that some Fort MacMurray residents make is underestimating the power of winter weather in this area. Individuals may forget basic items like gloves or hats, but if you get into an accident on slick roads or you develop car problems and you must walk because you end up stranded then your choice of clothing and warm winter gear can be critical. With temperatures that will stay around -15 to -20 for the near future dressing appropriately is more important than ever. Staying safe and warm is a top priority, and failing to take the winter weather into consideration can be devastating at times. Make sure you are dressed warmly before you leave home each day.

Categories
Breaking News Ft Mac

Bomb Threat in Downtown Fort MacMurray Causes Evacuation

bomb threat, Fort MacMurray
bomb threat, Fort MacMurray

A bomb threat was made Thursday, and this led to a Safeway in downtown Fort MacMurray being evacuated. This type of threat is not common in the remote area, however local police it seriously until the matter can be fully investigated and the possibility of a bomb is eliminated. A phone call to the RCMP at around noon on Thursday detailed a bomb threat at the downtown Safeway location, and the RCMP quickly responded. He call caused officers to be on high alert while they were investigating, and the grocery store was completely evacuated. Local officers were also used to direct traffic in the area away from the plaza that surrounds the grocery store. The police were finished investigating by 1:45 pm. And they gave the order to stand down as no explosives were found on the property.

According to the RCMP in Fort MacMurray the entire store and surrounding property was carefully searched and no explosive residue or bomb devices were found. Eventually the Safeway was reopened to the public, and the investigation will continue. The RCMP is asking the public to come forward and provide information about the bomb threat, and the public can also contact Crime Stoppers if they know something that should be passed along to law enforcement. The RCMP have thanked the public for cooperating during the evacuation, and someone knows who called in the bomb threat in Fort MacMurray and why. The call resulted in wasted manpower and resources, and the person responsible for making the bomb threat could face criminal charges and financial penalties for their actions.