A Merciful End to a Difficult Week

Sylvia's Site
January 17, 2014

http://www.theinquiry.ca/wordpress/

A GUILTY verdict in the Kingston Frontenac court this morning for Father Rene Labelle.

17 January 2014: “Priest found guilty of sexual assault ” & related article

A merciful end to a difficult week for the complainant and his family.

As I have said before, there is no rejoicing on occasions such as this. I can speak for myself here and say that I personally was relieved. Not because I didn’t think he was guilty, but because one truly never knows for certain how a judge will view the evidence. So, relief yes, but, for myself and the others in the small packed courtroom, – no rejoicing. Tears. A smile or two. No jubilation.

I will reiterate again that the Crown did an outstanding job on cross-examination, and again in closing submissions.

And I must right now tell you that Justice Timothy Ray`s rendering of the verdict would truly have warmed the cockles of your heart. My but he spoke with such strength and passion. He essentially determined that nothing Labelle had to say in his denials was credible, and that everything he heard from the victim and the young man`s mother and father was credible.

After the verdict, when it came time sort out what conditions Father Labelle would be under pending sentencing his lawyer Mr. Ecclestone mentioned that Labelle likes to go out for walks and sometimes he might walk through a park and, well, wouldn`t that be alright?

Well, seems the conditions explicitly say that Labelle is not to frequent any places such as parks where there might be persons under age 19 (yes – 19)

Justice Ray was NOT at all impressed. He curtly reminded Labelle that he, Labelle, is no longer on parole and that he, Labelle, is now a convicted sexual offender! And when I say curtly, I mean curtly.

And that did my heart good :) Yes, Father Rene Labelle is now a convicted sex offender. He`s a child molester.

Well done to the victim for hanging in and seeing this through. And to his parents. I know this does not bring an end to the pain and the anguish, but I also know that it is thanks to your courage we now know that Father Rene Labelle is a molester. Thank you.

The judge has ordered a pre-sentence report and sexual behaviours assessment be conducted. That will take some time, hence the sentencing hearing has been set for 14 April 2014. Justice Ray expressed his hope that all paperwork will be taken care of in time for the hearing, in which case the sentencing hearing will be conducted in the morning and he will render the verdict in the afternoon.

There is much I need and want to tell you about this trial. And I will. I am going to take a break now :)

*****

I just checked with the court and Father Joe Leclair`s preliminary hearing scheduled to start in Ottawa, Monday 20 January 2014 at 10 am in courtroom 10 is still on.

You will recall that there is question of a plea deal in the offing - we will find out Monday morning what`s going on. Mark your calendars!

20 January 2013: 10 am, courtroom 10, Preliminary hearing, Ottawa, Ontario courthouse (161 Elgin St.)

*****

Father Jacques Faucher`s next courtdate is:

11 March 2014: 08:30 am, courtroom #5, “to be spoken to,” Ottawa Ontario courthouse (161 Elgin St.)

Enough for now,

Sylvia