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Topic: First Nation people excluded from jury duty

zazzo
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4461

posted 12 September 2008 07:32 AM

In Kenora, it has been discovered that First Nations people have not been included on potential jurors' list.
This could be a widespread practise, and I wonder what the implications would be in terms of the impact on the justice system in Ontario.
Here is the link to the news report.
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories_local.php?id=133915

From: the centre of Turtle Island | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

kropotkin1951
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2732

posted 12 September 2008 08:48 AM

quote:
Wesley and Jamie Goodwin died in a fire at the Kashechewan police station on Jan. 8, 2006.
During pre-inquest motions in Toronto this week, Murray and the lawyer representing Goodwin‘s family had asked coroner David Eden to ensure a member of the five-person jury be from Kashechewan, or at least be Cree.
Inquest juries are selected from the same list of potential jurors used for criminal and civil trials, Murray explained.
After being told there were no Kashechewan people on the jury list, an affidavit was filed with the inquest from the supervisor of court operations in the Kenora judicial district.
“Then this whole can of worms opened up,” said Murray about discovering the incomplete jury roll.
Aboriginal people living on reserves wouldn‘t be on the municipal assessment lists the province uses each year to make up the jury roll, Murray said Thursday.

I saw a news piece about this on APTN. If anyone needs a classic example of systemic discrimination here it is. I wonder as well how our jury poll in BC is developed.

From: North of Manifest Destiny | Registered: Jun 2002 | IP: Logged

Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560

posted 12 September 2008 09:51 AM

Jesus. That's pretty awful, considering that Aboriginal people are much more likely to be criminalized than white settlers. What part of "jury of peers" is being honoured by this practice?

From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001 | IP: Logged

HeywoodFloyd
token right-wing mascot
Babbler # 4226

posted 12 September 2008 10:00 AM

It seems like everyone dropped the ball.

Defense attourneys who didn't conduct due dilligence.

The bands who didn't submit lists as requested by the provinical officals.

Indian Affairs who quit providing the lists.

And a bureaucracy that shuffles responsiblity around like clockwork.

From: Edmonton: This place sucks | Registered: Jun 2003 | IP: Logged

Tommy_Paine
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 214

posted 12 September 2008 04:46 PM

This weeks judicial travesty.