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‘Vindication,’ lawyers say as assault charges stayed for RCMP officers on trial in Yellowknife

‘Vindication,’ lawyers say as assault charges stayed for RCMP officers on trial in Yellowknife

A stay of proceedings against two RCMP officers on trial this week in Yellowknife is a “complete vindication” of the officers’ actions, their lawyers say.

The trial began in territorial court on Monday. RCMP Const. Francessca Bechard and Cpl. Jason Archer were each charged with one count of assault for their use of force against prisoner Tracella Romie in 2020 at the Yellowknife detachment.


Proceedings stayed in assault trial of Yellowknife RCMP officers

Proceedings stayed in assault trial of Yellowknife RCMP officers

The Crown has stayed charges against two Yellowknife RCMP officers accused of using excessive force against a woman in their custody.

Prosecutor Greg Lyndon, on the third day of trial on Wednesday morning, stayed one charge of assault each against Cst Francessca Bechard and Cpl Jason Archer related to the arrest and detention of a woman at the Yellowknife detachment in October 2020.


Neighbour’s threats about topless sunbathing raises issues of law, privacy and criminality

Neighbour’s threats about topless sunbathing raises issues of law, privacy and criminality
Two young women who were blissfully sunbathing topless in their back yard say they have subjected to vulgar letters from a voyeur next door who has threatened to publish photos of them. During the long, sun-soaked afternoons of the pandemic, Deuphine Apedaile and her roommate Cassy Conley burned off the hours of isolation gardening in back yard of their small East Van rental home.

Island Mountie cleared in slow pursuit of moped

Island Mountie cleared in slow pursuit of moped
An Island Mountie has been exonerated in connection with a slow-speed moped chase in Duncan and a provincial court judge has scolded the prosecution. Const. David Buchanan was charged with dangerous driving causing bodily harm after a moped chase on Feb. 20, 2016, that left the moped driver injured. After a three-day preliminary inquiry at Duncan provincial court in June, Judge Justine Saunders threw out the charges and criticized Crown prosecutors for a dearth of evidence.

Ian Mulgrew: B.C. Mountie cleared after two years under IIO cloud

Ian Mulgrew: B.C. Mountie cleared after two years under IIO cloud

The prosecution, the judge said, “failed to call any evidence let alone some evidence which supports the Crown’s theory that Constable Buchanan was operating his motor vehicle as charged.”

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. keeps shooting itself in the foot when it comes to its relationship with provincial police agencies. Two years ago the IIO recommended charges against RCMP Const. David Buchanan after his “slow-speed pursuit” of an unlicensed moped being driven erratically by a suspected thief breaking curfew on probation for other crimes. The incident occurred Feb. 20, 2016.


Police shooting of unarmed man won’t be appealed

Police shooting of unarmed man won’t be appealed

A BC Provincial Court Judge acquitted Const. David Pompeo of aggravated assault following a second trial. The conviction of the first trial was overturned by the BC Court of Appeal which ruled that the trial judge compromised the appearance of fairness through his questioning; the court ordered a new trial. Ravi Hira QC, who argued the case, suggested that changes are required in how the province approves charges against police officers acting in the line of duty.