OT Canadian "justice" UPDATE

[Otto]

Alot like modern American justice, actually:

http://news.yahoo.com/video/world-15749633/22308550


UPDATE
Guy was acquitted:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/ ... rdict.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/ ... World+News:

[Blaine]

That's disgusting, no matter what country

[dkmlever]

I can not believe this report, sad sad sad.

[stretch]

Sieg Heil, everybody!

The guy was just defending his business, and actually did
a good deed for the rest of society. He didn't shoot the miscreant
or stab him - only held him for police. The punk got off lucky, methinks.

It seems no matter the severity of the crime, the prosecution has
to "make a deal" to secure another arrest in order to boost "the
numbers". This habit is now completely out of control.

I hope that they find him not guilty, but if British law is any
indication he'll probably get punished more severely than the thief.


-Stretch

[KirkD]

There is general outrage around here over the moronic charge laid by the pathetic Toronto Police. That store owner is a hero as far as a lot of Canadians are concerned.

[AJMD429]

It seems no matter the severity of the crime, the prosecution has to "make a deal" to secure another arrest in order to boost "the numbers". This habit is now completely out of control.

Yeah; sometimes they'll take actually REAL criminals, and let them plea down to some stupid misdemeanor they can quickly and cheaply get a 'conviction' on, so they can brag about their 'conviction rate' - meanwhile the murderer is back out on the street in 18 months.

They seem hardest on 'gun' and 'drug' crimes.

I think the 'gun' ones they like to be hard on because psychologically, the wielders of power know that they won't be given free reign to abuse that power if their 'subjects' remain armed.

The 'drug' ones then enforce aggressively because it is such a steady stream of income and power to legislatively prohibit any item with a strong, inelastic demand, and the resultant violence created by their prohibition keeps the public perpetually desparate and willing to hand over money and freedom to the politicians in exchange for vague promises to 'make the streets safer', which of course they never do.

All you need is rules against murder, assault, theft, and a court system to take care of negligance and violation of contracts, and you've got most of it covered, without all the EPA, OSHA, DEA, DOT, and protected-classes legislation.

[Paladin]

I can not believe this report, sad sad sad.

and scary at the same time.

[Old Time Hunter]

You have got to be kidding....right?

This is a joke, is it not?

[kimwcook]

I'm afraid to say it's probably no joke, especially to David Chen and his friends. It's a prosecutor gone nuts is what it is. Even if the police arrest Chen, which I don't know if they did or not, or whether the information sent to the prosecutor for review, the prosecutor should of looked at the circumstances and dropped the charges. But, no, they went a step further and struck a plea bargain with the thief to testify against Chen. That's wrong, wrong, wrong on so many levels. That sends a message to the criminal element if you can grab, dash and split before the law arrives you're good to go. Short of the law catching you.

Being in law enforcement these types of things make me wonder where the common sense and the general overall mind set is in the people dealing with these type situations. It doesn't just occur in Canada.

[KirkD]

I heartily and strongly agree with kimwcook. This travesty of justice is outrageous. I would like to see David Chen lay criminal charges against the crown prosecutor for 'aiding and abetting' a criminal, which is essentially what the prosecutor did in striking a deal with the thief.

[Otto]

UPDATE
Guy was acquitted:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/ ... rdict.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/ ... World+News:

[Ysabel Kid]

Glad the guy was acquitted, but the damage has already been done...

[KirkD]

The whole country found this to be outrageous. The guy was acquitted and that is important, because a court precedent has been set. Canadians can feel a bit more free to perform a citizens arrest using justified force if necessary. The key here was that the arrest was not made immediately, but an hour or so later. Making it immediately has never been a problem, but making it later was the issue here. The thinking is that if the arrest is made later, why not have the police do it. However, in this case, the fellow would have been gone again long before the police would arrive, so the fellow made the arrest. The judge acquitted the man and a lot of Canadians are happy to hear this.

[Huntermb]

I've come to the conclusion that we don't have a Criminal Justice System here in Canada we have a "Criminal's Justice System". Don't do anything to protect yourself or your family or your property or do anything to the poor poor misunderstood bad man and you will be fine. Maybe heads on a pike on the outside of town isn't such a bad idea.

[.45colt]

I have been fortunate to be a guest at a Fishing camp in Ontario for 39 years. I have always been treated by the Canadian People like one of the Family and always overwelmed by their generous hospitality. twice over the years We had car trouble on the way to camp,and both times were rescued by extremley Helpfull service People who just wanted to get us back on the road.
As I related last year on the way home from the trip near Peterbourgh, I was pulled over by the O.P.P for have a radar dector in My Jeep.A gift from my Sister. Yes I was wrong and missed the sign at the border.ignorance is no excuse. the officer demanded and confiscated the "device",and handed Me a ticket for $170.00. A bigger fine than Tiger Woods recived when He wrecked the Esclade last year.
Lucky for Me I am older,yes Sir, No Sir, and kept My mouth shut as I feel the officer would have been more than happy to place Me under arrest. My Son and Son in law were clearly shaken by the "robocop" attitude.
I feel like it was a very clear message fron the canadian legal system.

[Huntermb]

my brother just got a speeding ticket here in Manitoba. He was doing 125KMH in a 100KMH zone. Fair enough. The ticket was 390 plus costs. never ceases to amaze me