Under Criminal Law in Canada charges must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt: "Criminal offences require the prosecuting crown to prove that there was criminal conduct (known as the actus reus or "external element") accompanied by a criminal state of mind (known as the mens rea or "fault element")[2] on a standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt"."After the last few days though any and all testimony or evidence produced by police must be seen as tainted and causing reasonable doubt.
Not only did Chief Blair admit to lying about police powers but, according to the Globe and Mail most of the weapons he produced for the media yesterday were not G20 related:
"Chief Bill Blair, who told reporters the items were evidence of the protesters’ intent, singled out arrows covered in sports socks, which he said were designed to be dipped in a flammable liquid and set ablaze.Many of the other items displayed have also been discredited.
However, the arrows belong to Brian Barrett, a 25-year-old landscaper who was heading to a role-playing fantasy game when he was stopped at Union Station on Saturday morning. Police took his jousting gear but let Mr. Barrett go, saying it was a case of bad timing."
Having lied about evidence and police powers any lawyer worth his/her salt will be able to show reasonable doubt on any case brought forward (likely including cases not related to the G20.) So long as Blair remains chief the Police have little or no credibility.
Blair meanwhile is taking a 'You're with us or you're with the terrorists' approach. Responding to an email from someone who questioned police methods Blair responded by saying
"If you chose to align yourself with the Criminals that victimized my officers and my citizens, that is your right.”and
"The police did an extraordinary job in the face of criminal provocation and danger. Your criticism, like the handful of similar sentiments expressed by the naive and uninformed will be given all the attention that it deserves.”So, even given the lies and the considerable evidence of police misconduct anyone who questions or criticizes police is now a naive, misguided, criminal according to the Chief.
How anyone think that the people of Toronto can have any confidence in this man is unclear. So far though no one at the city, provincial or federal level has responded to any calls for an inquiry or for Blair's dismissal.






1 comments:
No doubt, Chief Blair should be put out to pasture. But the real question is what were and from whom did his orders come from?
The tactics of intimidation of lawful protesters by the police was one thing, but how we as citizens have lost another battle for our democracy is the real issue here.
This round definitely was won by those who ordered the police to intimidate the public to be fearful when it comes to legal protesting and free speech. Lets find out who those cowards are, and not allow them to hide behind an intended governmental obscurity that protects only them.
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