Minister announces review into Alberta Crown Prosecution Service following St. Albert shooting
Posted Jan 21, 2015 3:51 pm.
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Alberta’s Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, Jonathan Denis, has ordered a public review into the province’s justice system handling of the suspect in the shooting death of St. Albert RCMP Constable David Wynn.
Another office, Auxillary Constable Derek Bond, was wounded and has a long recovery ahead.
“To review any involvement of the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service that they had leading up to this incident, with a view of determining if any processes can be changed to prevent a repeat of this tragic, unfortunate and needless crime,” said MLA Jonathan Denis, speaking to reporters inside the McDougall Centre Wednesday afternoon.
According to Denis, the results will be made public, once they’re finalized.
The results will be in addition to any public fatality inquiry on this incident.
“When the RCMP and ASIRT’s investigation are complete, the Fatality Review Board will then review the case and determine if a public fatality inquiry should occur,” he said. “This will proceed immediately only after the investigations are complete and in short order.”
During the difficult days ahead, Denis asked all Albertans to keep the families of both RCMP officers in their prayers.
Flags are being lowered at provincial buildings and correctional facilities around the province and at the Legislative Assembly for the day of the funeral.
Denis couldn’t comment to RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson’s public outrage that suspect Shawn Rehn had been allowed to walk free.
He met with the commissioner late Sunday night and told reporters it’s important to get all the facts first before jumping to assertions.
“If the Fatality Review Board decides not to go with a full review, I reserve the right as the Attorney General of Alberta to determine a review be held,” said Denis, who added it’s his belief the justice system can always be improved.
When asked for his thoughts on Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay’s decision not to hold a review, he said that was up to Mr. MacKay.
