And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 07:55:33 -0400
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
From: Lynne Moss-Sharman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Courthouse/Warehouse: Manitoba Warriors
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June 17, 1999 trouble over toilets Conspiracy trial digs slammed
Winnipeg Sun
By KATHLEEN MARTENS -- Courts Reporter
A multi-million dollar courtroom built for the upcoming conspiracy
trial of the Manitoba Warriors is being slammed for, of all things, a lack
of bathrooms. Defence lawyers say last week's regular pre-trial meeting on
the marathon case was hijacked by complaints about woefully inadequate
washroom facilities, no gender-specific changerooms and charges for
parking. "How can you have one toilet for 30 people?" fumed a source.
"It's obviously completely inadequate," added another. Government Services
and the Justice Department converted an old seed plant on Chevrier
Boulevard for the lengthy trial because no courtroom in the downtown Law
Courts Building was deemed large enough for the 35 accused, prosecution and
defence teams, jurors and observers. The alleged street gang members face
drug, prostitution, weapons and welfare fraud charges.
$300,000 OVERRUN
The building -- dubbed the Chevrier Courthouse -- was finished
last month at a cost of $3.67 million. There was an overrun of
$300,000 for the addition of more audio-visual equipment, an
expanded public gallery and secured parking, a government
spokesperson said yesterday. However, female defence attorneys are
wondering where they're supposed to change since there is one locker room
and all 30 defence lawyers are concerned about sharing a single toilet and
sink. Even the six Crown attorneys on the case, with one
washroom between them, are unhappy, added another source. "I haven't
toured the facility yet and I understand it's a clever
design," said one source. "But I think they forgot something."
A government spokesperson said lawyers can use the public washrooms.
Lawyers are also upset about being charged for parking. "We learned
(Friday) that Crowns, clerks, the judge and defence
lawyers all have to pay," said a source, noting there is no public
parking on the street and Winnipeg Transit does not service Chevrier,
making a car a necessity. Sources say Justice officials are trying to get
parking charges, which Government Services demands on all of its lots,
lifted.
But lawyers say there will be more complaints once family members of the
accused learn there are seats for only about 20 in the public gallery.
And there is no wheelchair access.
Observers will be able to watch the proceedings via video link to the Law
Courts Building, a government spokesperson said, explaining: "The courtroom
isn't very large and this will accommodate the overflow."
DEARTH OF RESTAURANTS
But defence attorneys predict some serious fallout. "There are a
lot of people involved in this trial and their families want to see
them." There is also grumbling about the dearth of restaurants. Defence
lawyers say while they've heard Crown attorneys will have meals catered,
they have to fend for themselves in an area that doesn't boast the eateries
downtown does.
The ultra-secure courtroom is to be used for other trials
prosecuted under the new federal conspiracy law the alleged gang
members have been charged under.
~~~~~~
June 17, 1999 It will be a marathon for jurors
By KATHLEEN MARTENS -- Courts Reporter
Jury duty can keep people away from their loved ones for weeks.
But the dozen chosen to serve on the panel for the Manitoba
Warriors trial are looking at an absence of a year or more, legal
sources say. Court officials are envisioning tapping a potential pool the
size of a small city to find the needed 12. Sources say an estimated 12,000
names could be pulled. It's a daunting prospect and one that worries Court
of Queen's Bench Justice Ruth Krindle, who will preside over the
mega-trial. And she has made her concerns known to lawyers on the case.
"Jury selection alone could take two months," added a source, noting it's
another cog bogging down the legal machinery of the case. It is expected
90 per cent of potential jurors will try to get out of jury duty, leaving
about 1,200 names. Lawyers can reject up to 720 of those for a final pool
of less than 500.
"No one really knows how long this case is going to take. So who do I think
will be on the jury? Retired people, civil servants and anyone that has a
union contract that pays them to do jury duty," a source suggested.
"Let Us Consider The Human Brain As
A Very Complex Photographic Plate"
1957 G.H. Estabrooks
www.angelfire.com/mn/mcap/bc.html
FOR K A R E N #01182
who died fighting 4/23/99
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.aches-mc.org
807-622-5407
Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html
doctrine of international copyright law.
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Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit)
Unenh onhwa' Awayaton
http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/
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