Evolution of justice [From swift and sure to catch and release]

Winnipeg Sun ^ | 2008-02-20 | Robert Marshall

[Clive]

There are some who believe evolution and progress are synonymous. They are not. Certainly not in the field of Canadian justice.

Two cases of murder, the killing of two cops, nearly a century apart makes that clear.

Const. Bernard Snowdon, killed in 1918, was the first Winnipeg police officer murdered in the line of duty. And from 2001 RCMP Const. Dennis Strongquill was the last police officer murdered in Manitoba.

The similarities in the files are striking.

The differences disturbing.

Both officers were serving their community. In the darkness and cold that complicates dangerous situations.

Both were ambushed.

Snowdon was attacked as he went about his beat duties by three thugs wanted for crimes in other parts of the country.

Strongquill was killed while on patrol and like Snowdon, was murdered by three gangsters on the run in the wake of their prairie-wide crime spree.

Both officers were gunned down. In cold blood.

Within hours the sharp-eyed Winnipeg detectives of 1918 rounded up the beat man's killers.

In short order a contingent of hungry, modern-day Mounties took down the trio of Strongquill assassins.

In both cases the cops put together clear and convincing cases to prove the guilt of the unholy, self-appointed executioners.

And it's here that the similarities end.

Justice was swift

In 1918, justice was swift and sure. Murdered in April, Snowdon's killers were found guilty and sentenced long before the next snow flew. Two of Snowdon's killers kept their dates with "Mr. Ellis," the anonymous federal hangman and drew their last breaths less than six months after the officer's murder.

The third killer was sentenced to life in prison and his chance of enjoying future parole was grim.

Prime Minister Wilfred Laurier had introduced parole to the country a few years earlier and said it was designed for, "...a young man of good character, who may have committed a crime in a moment of passion ... (that) there is a good report on him while in confinement and it is supposed that if he were given another chance, he would be a good citizen."

Parole was not something for wanton killers on the run from other crimes.

Justice is not so sure in the Strongquill case. Although one suspect was killed in the RCMP take down, the trigger-man will in all likelihood live to enjoy his freedom once again. The third killer, Laurie Bell, is being punted out of a federal prison just 41/2 years after being sentenced.

The evolution of Canadian justice has meant we consider her pre-trial detention and pretend 18 months equals three years. Chop that fictional three years away from 10 and throw in mandatory parole after an arbitrary two-thirds of the resultant seven-year sentence and it's freedom after a farcical 41/2 years.

Without remorse

Evolution has seen us abandon Sir Wilfred's philosophy of parole that insisted on good character, good reports and optimism.

Evolution has meant that it's OK that Laurie Bell has substance abuse problems. That she is reportedly violent, and at risk to re-offend. That she is without remorse and that she views her absurdly short prison stay as little more than an inconvenient interruption of her life.

Evolution has meant that parole has become a criminal's de facto right instead of a privilege.

We've come a long way, baby.

But if that's progress I'll eat my hat.

[Clive]

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[fanfan]