Lawyer Waits for Justice

Monday, December 15, 2008 09:37 AM

Prince George, B.C.- “It seems to me, that it may have been excessive force for 4 police officers to jolt this man with 50 thousand volts not once, not twice but five times.” That is the opinion of Cameron Ward, a lawyer who has represented the families and the victims of several police shootings, commenting on the Robert Dziekanski case.

Ward was a guest on the Meisner program this morning on CFISFM and although he is not directly involved in the Dziekanski case, Ward says his opinion on the events is the result of his years of experience in handling such cases. The Crown announced last Friday that there wouldn't be any charges laid in relation to the death of Dziekanski.

Ward acted for the family of Kevin St. Arnaud at the Coroner’s inquest into the shooting death of St. Arnaud. It has been nearly 4 years since St. Arnaud was gunned down in a soccer field in Vanderhoof. He was suspected of break and enter, and the officer who shot him, Ryan Sheramata, told a Coroner’s inquest he feared for his life when he pulled the trigger. The Constable says he had slipped backwards and was on his back and that Kevin was over him. The forensic evidence didn’t support that scenario. Sheramata has been under investigation for perjury about testimony given regarding his experience with armed suspects.

Ward says he has requested the Attorney General’s office review the St Arnaud case for possible charges against the Constable. While Ward has been assured it is being examined, he hasn’t heard any further information.

Ward has long argued that police should not be investigating police, he says that in the 150 years of British Columbia’s history there is not one case where an officer has been charged with excessive force.

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Posted on Monday, December 15, 2008 09:37 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: heidi1555 on December 15 2008 10:11 AM

Darn I wish I knew he'd be on.

Posted by: The_grandinquisitor on December 15 2008 10:59 AM

He's there for the publlicity. Tell us...what cases HAS he won?

Posted by: heidi1555 on December 15 2008 11:29 AM

Merry Christmas grand...and big hugs to you. I think you need some lovin'.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on December 15 2008 11:36 AM

I guess if Ward takes on cases where fault could be found with RCMP/police,there is not much chance he will win any!
The track record of police actually being found guilty is zip.
In any event,both the Dziekanski and the St.Arnaud cases SHOULD be reviewed, but I won't hold my breath.
I think the main problem is that the first time a cop is found guilty of using excessive force,the precedent will be set for the next cop,and because of that precedent,it just isn't going to happen.
Seems our "justice" system is not willing to go there.
I still can't believe that over the years,not one cop has been found guilty of excessive force?
Which also shows exactly what is wrong with police investigating police.

Posted by: woodsman on December 15 2008 12:04 PM

Police are charged with excessive force all the time. Search CBC.ca:

Vancouver cop used excessive force during nightclub arrest: trial witness
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2007/11/07/bc-tasercop.html

B.C. Mountie found guilty of assault in Taser incident
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/08/11/bc-mountie-taser-guilty.html

Posted by: woodsman on December 15 2008 12:11 PM

There's no section in the Criminal Code for "excessive force", police are charged with assault, assault with a weapon, etc.

Posted by: downnotout on December 15 2008 1:45 PM

Who is to blame. The police are trained to use force to subdue suspects. The tazer was suposed to be the alternative to a gun and until another system comes into use that an officer can carry and use as quick and as easy as a gun I think that tazers will be around for some time. Think of the times that they were used instead of a gun. Perhaps in some of those cases the public would have better served if a gun were used.

Posted by: He speaks on December 15 2008 1:53 PM

You'd figure four overweight donut addict RCMP officers could just sat on top of the suspect would subdue him.

Posted by: The_grandinquisitor on December 15 2008 2:54 PM

I guess hespeaks didnt watch the video.
They looked in shape to me.

Posted by: Honestjoe on December 15 2008 5:26 PM

Is this legalized murder? If the victim had been a politician, would the result be the same?

Posted by: josh81 on December 16 2008 1:22 AM

THE CROWN WONT CHARGE POLICE THAY ALL WORK FOR THE SAME OUTFIT COME ON OPEN YOUR EYES THATS THE WAY IT IS AND THE WAY IT WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR ON YOUR OWN HOPE YOU DONT DO ANYTHING TO GET TAZERED OR BE IN THE WRONG SPOT AT THE WRONG TIME OR YOU COULD DIE SAD WORLD EVRYONE FOR THM SELF I GEUSS MAYBE WE SHOULD ALL GO GET TAZERS THEN WE CAN STICK UP FOR OURSELVES ZAP A FEW COPS MAYBE THAT WOULD TEACH THEM

Posted by: The_grandinquisitor on December 16 2008 7:44 AM

Well Josh, you get a tazer (if you can) and aim it at a cop...see what happens to you. (hint: it involves a loud bang.)