The Moncton tragedy of last week, where three Mounties were allegedly murdered by a local resident, is far from being resolved.
Yes, a suspect surrendered after a manhunt that paralyzed the city for more than 24 hours, in an incident eerily similar to the pursuit of the Boston Marathon bombers.
But the Moncton issue is just getting started.
Sadly, this case will be open for a long time, despite the plethora of witnesses, and video evidence. Should be cut-and-dried, no?
Not in Canada.
Pity.
This case will be dragged out in court, no doubt costing the taxpayers millions of dollars.
We’ve seen it all before, far too often.
The Robert Pickton trial comes to mind.
Closer to home, there’s the Molly Burton hit-and-run case, in which the sentencing was just recently put over for another month.
The accused in this case pleaded guilty, and yet sentencing has now been pushed back on at least three occasions.
Then there is the 2011 Stanley Cup riot in Vancouver. There are accused in that incident that have still not had their day in court!
In comparison, there was a similar riot in the streets of London, in August of 2011. Within four days of those riots, more than 1,000 rioters had been charged, and sentences were being handed out within a week. The majority of those who were found guilty – at least those who were sentenced to two years or less – are already out of jail, having served their penance.
Section 11 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ensures of the right to a fair and speedy trial.
“Speedy” is indeed a relative term. Even a melting glacier does so at a speed.
Do we have the worst judicial system in the world? Of course not. Far from it.
But it’s far from the best, either.
And for those seeking closure in Moncton, that day will not come anytime soon.