The next court date for previously convicted ex-priest Donald Grecco is:
26 April 2017: 10 am, “a plea,” courtroom #4, Robert S. K. Welch St Catharine’s courthouse, St. Catharine’s, Ontario (59 Church St)
These charges were laid in September and October 2015.
Is this perhaps a guilty plea in the offing?
We shall see.
Please keep the complainants in your prayers.
*****
Previously convicted priest of the Archdiocese of Ottawa Father Barry McGrory has a court date in early April:
04 April 2017: 08:30 am, “to be spoken to,” courtroom #5, Ottawa courthouse (161 Elgin St.)
Please keep the complainants in your prayers
*****
The next court date for Father Robin Gwyn is:
07 April 2017: 09:30 am. “to be spoken to,” Ontario Superior Court of Justice, 5 Court Street, Kingston
Things get a little confusing here with the two separate trials, however, I think this is dealing with the offences to which he entered a guilty plea? There are two convictions: the one in which he entered a guilty plea, and the other in which he was convicted at trial by judge. So, I think this is a court date related to the guilty plea charges.
Father Gwyn also has a court date set for sentencing 26 April 2017. This, I believe is related to the trial at which he convicted by the judge.
Please keep the complainants in your prayers.
*****
Belgian-born Oblate, ex-priest, serial molester, former fugitive from justice Eric Dejaeger who has been convicted four times and fled the country to elude justice once has, s noted before, been granted a court appointed lawyer to appeal sever of his convictions and sentences. The following is the judges “Memorandum of Judgement,” – his ruling on the matter:
And the following are a few relevant excerpts form that ruling:
[6] Section 684 (1) of the Criminal Code of Canada, RSC 1985, c C-46 [Criminal Code] enables the Court of Appeal or a Judge of that Court to assign counsel where, in the opinion of the Court, it appears desirable in the interests of justice that the accused should have legal assistance and where it appears that the accused has not sufficient means to obtain that assistance.
[7] In such event, counsel’s fees and disbursements would be paid, in this case, by the Attorney General of Canada at a tariff set by the Court.
[24] The DeJaeger trial was both notorious and lengthy. It was also a complex case.
[25] There are times when an Appellant shows he or she is quite capable of presenting and arguing his or her own case without a lawyer. Mr. DeJaeger’s, however, is not such an individual. He may be an educated man, but he is also a relatively old man, with no experience in handling the conduct of a Court case on his own.
[26] I am of the view that Mr. DeJaeger’s could not effectively present his appeal in an organized and coherent fashion without the assistance of counsel.
[28] While I consider that there is some merit to the Crown’s reservations concerning Court-appointed counsel at this stage, I consider also that after all the delay thus far there is a need for some expediency in getting this appeal heard as soon as possible. Indeed, in the event a new trial is ordered, it is important that the prospective witnesses wait as little as possible
[30] I am persuaded there is merit to Mr. DeJaeger’s request for Court-appointed counsel and accordingly, pursuant to section 684 of the Criminal Code, I order that counsel be appointed. Fees and disbursements of counsel shall be determined and paid in accordance with subsections 684 (2) and (3).
Section 684 of the Criminal Code reads as follows:
Legal assistance for appellant
684 (1) A court of appeal or a judge of that court may, at any time, assign counsel to act on behalf of an accused who is a party to an appeal or to proceedings preliminary or incidental to an appeal where, in the opinion of the court or judge, it appears desirable in the interests of justice that the accused should have legal assistance and where it appears that the accused has not sufficient means to obtain that assistance.
Counsel fees and disbursements
(2) Where counsel is assigned pursuant to subsection (1) and legal aid is not granted to the accused pursuant to a provincial legal aid program, the fees and disbursements of counsel shall be paid by the Attorney General who is the appellant or respondent, as the case may be, in the appeal.
Taxation of fees and disbursements
(3) Where subsection (2) applies and counsel and the Attorney General cannot agree on fees or disbursements of counsel, the Attorney General or the counsel may apply to the registrar of the court of appeal and the registrar may tax the disputed fees and disbursements.
R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 684; R.S., 1985, c. 34 (3rd Supp.), s. 9.
*****
An interesting little piece of trivia…
As you know, until only a few days ago Scot-born Father Robert MacKenzie had been living in Cupar Saskatchewan. He arrived in Regina Saskatchewan in 1988. He was in Cupar Saskatchewan from August 1990.
All in all, it’s been 29 years since he left both his native land and the branch of the Benedictine order which operated the Carlekemp and Fort Augustus Abbey Schools in Scotland. At the age of 56 he packed up and left it all. A man who was first a student at Fort Augustus, and then for 32 years a Benedictine teaching at both schools – off to Canada. No more Scotland. No more Benedictines. Gone.
Well, it turns out that Cupar Saskatchewan was named after Cupar in Fife Scotland. I wonder if perchance that made him feel a little closer to home?
Enough for now,
Sylvia