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Topic: Professor who embraced non-violence slain in Fredericton
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unionist
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11323
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posted 01 November 2008 10:51 AM
What a sad and ironic account. quote: John McKendy, it seems, saw the best in everyone.The long-time sociology professor at Fredericton's St. Thomas University lectured largely about social inequality. He researched non-violent conflict resolution, which included going into prisons and pushing the power of peace to inmates. He was a religious man, a member of the Fredericton Peace Coalition, and had spent the past two summers in the African nation of Burundi, building an AIDS clinic for women. He planned to return in January.
He was found murdered Friday morning, along with his injured daughter who remains in hospital. RCMP are searching for her husband. quote: In a recent letter to AGLI volunteer leader Dave Zarembka, the professor warned he may not arrive in Africa as soon as planned.“He was telling me his daughter was having marital difficulties, and he might be late arriving,” said Mr. Zarembka, who heard of Prof. McKendy's death Friday afternoon.
From: Vote QS! | Registered: Dec 2005
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QatzelOk
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 15680
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posted 01 November 2008 11:18 AM
quote: This is what an alleged wife batterer looks like.
He just looks like anyone.It's very sad that this man was killed. But using his death to sell products is really mercenary - even if your product is guilt-by-association. [ 01 November 2008: Message edited by: Michelle ]
From: Montréal | Registered: Oct 2008
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QatzelOk
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 15680
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posted 01 November 2008 02:13 PM
quote: But if you are not a batterer - and I have no notion that you are -, I see no reason for feeling any guilt.
I know. Only the guilty have anything to hide.That's used to justify the Patriot Act as well. So feel free to post pictures of working-class white males and say "this is what a wife-beater looks like." Or even better, post a pic of an Arab male. Then the picture can be worth a thousand dirty looks from strangers.
From: Montréal | Registered: Oct 2008
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robbie_dee
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 195
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posted 01 November 2008 03:53 PM
I don't really understand what is going on between QatzelOk and martin dufresne, but if this is still the case: quote: RCMP are searching for her husband.
Then I hope that photo gets circulated widely so that if anyone seeing it recognizes that man and knows where he is, they are able to notify the police. What an awful story. [ 01 November 2008: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]
From: Iron City | Registered: Apr 2001
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robbie_dee
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 195
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posted 03 November 2008 03:02 PM
RCMP close case after murder suspect's body found quote: FREDERICTON -- The RCMP say they have closed their investigation into the slaying of a popular university professor in New Brunswick after the body of the man they wanted for his murder was found in a car outside a hotel parking lot in Moncton.But how John McKendy, 60, died and his relationship to the man police believe killed him were among the details the Mounties would not release yesterday, arguing it would serve no public interest. Investigators also refused to say how 27-year-old Nicholas Wade Baker died as they assured the public they were not looking for anyone else in the killing of the professor, who taught at St. Thomas University in Fredericton. "We were able to connect the evidence we had on Saturday at all the scenes that we had, plus the scene in Moncton in the car, and all these tied in together. There is no doubt in any of the investigators that this is the suspect in question," Corporal Claude Tremblay told reporters. Before Mr. Baker's body was found on Saturday, police had charged him with first-degree murder after identifying him as a suspect on Friday in the killing of Prof. McKendy, whose body was found in his home in Douglas. Cpl. Tremblay said details of what happened and the identity of someone who suffered non-life threatening injuries in Prof. McKendy's home would not be released. "I realize that the public would like to know, and we would almost like to advertise what happened, but we have to be concerned about the family," he said. "We have two families here: the suspect's family and the family of Mr. McKendy. Is it going to help anyone at the end of the day if this evidence comes out? No, it's not going to do anything for anyone."
It sounds like we probably won't hear much more than this, at least for the time being. In any case, even without all the sordid details the broad outline of what happened seems clear. What a sad, terrible story. [ 03 November 2008: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]
From: Iron City | Registered: Apr 2001
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martin dufresne
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11463
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posted 03 November 2008 03:17 PM
Many unfortunately. More males are going to go on agressively demanding that the assaulters be deemed innocent until proven guilty. And more police officers are going to go on pretending that proving them guilty and establishing how a woman was wounded and her defender was killed (probably despite appealing to authorities) isn't in the public interest. It would "hurt two families". Right... Patriarchal business as usual. It's a bloody shame that women's advocates have to fight tooth and nail for the police to stop justifying such cover-ups. quote: Cpl. Tremblay said details of what happened and the identity of someone who suffered non-life threatening injuries in Prof. McKendy's home would not be released."I realize that the public would like to know, and we would almost like to advertise what happened, but we have to be concerned about the family," he said. "We have two families here: the suspect's family and the family of Mr. McKendy. Is it going to help anyone at the end of the day if this evidence comes out? No, it's not going to do anything for anyone."
[ 03 November 2008: Message edited by: martin dufresne ]
From: "Words Matter" (Mackinnon) | Registered: Dec 2005
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remind
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6289
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posted 03 November 2008 03:59 PM
quote: Originally posted by robbie_dee: What would you suggest? I am not trying to start an argument here, I am genuinely interested.
There are numerous threads in the feminist forum on domestic violence and actioning plans, if you are truly interested please do read some of them. As it is ground coverd over and over again by women, and their allies, in response to men allegedly expressing shock. quote: Do you think there were "warning signs" of Baker's behavior that were missed in this case?
There are always warning signs, and even his co-workers knew he was troubled and feared for his daughter and had postponed a trip to Africa because of his son in law's behaviour. quote: Did the police, or the friends and family of Baker fail in some way by not intervening before this happened?
Oh yes, just as what always happens, did you miss the thread on the ON judge telling a woman who had been beaten by her boyfriend never to call the police again?Cops, being the patriarchial ass hats they are do nothing for women! quote: Do you think there needs to be more public education?
Absolutely, but Harper gutted the only programs doing so across Canada, thereby lessening continued and much needed education. quote: All of the above? Something else?
men need to start calling and demanding that police and the criminal justice system start taking male violence seriously! quote: Martin's post suggests the police are engaged in a "cover up" by not releasing all the details. I agree I don't have much sympathy for protecting Baker's reputation but it seems to me at least plausible that the grieving McKendy family do not want a lot of public attention right now, either?
BS, they are going to get the public's attention rergardless, it is a cover up of the "nothing to see here type"!
From: "watching the tide roll away" | Registered: Jun 2004
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Michelle
Moderator
Babbler # 560
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posted 03 November 2008 04:55 PM
quote: Originally posted by martin dufresne: More males are going to go on agressively demanding that the assaulters be deemed innocent until proven guilty.
Yeah, funny how those mean old nasty males (and lots of females too, like me!) believe that the presumption of innocence is the cornerstone of a fair justice system. Does that mean I think the justice system works for victims of abuse? No, I definitely don't. I don't know what the answer is to the question of how to deal with abuse or threats or sexual assault legally since it's very difficult to objectively prove it beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. But it's not "aggressive" to believe that when it comes to the legal side of dealing with any crime, that people who are accused of crimes should be presumed innocent by the legal system, and by the media, until they are actually found guilty. And you know what? Quite frankly, I'm appalled at the RCMP for refusing to release anything about this case. It's nice that they found the guy they think did it, but I don't really want to just take their word for it that there's lots of evidence. It most certainly DOES serve the public interest for them to make their evidence public and explain to the public what makes them so sure that this guy did it. I don't doubt that he did it, but I don't believe in just taking the word of authority figures about stuff like this.
From: I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more cowbell. | Registered: May 2001
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remind
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6289
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posted 03 November 2008 05:07 PM
Good post Michelle, we really need to start a stronger movement towards forcing the police to give ALL the details publically. Here in northern BC, well maybe all of BC, where male assaults against females are, as martin points out, considered to be a private matter, while being a dime a dozen, something more needs to be done. quote: Originally posted by martin dufresne: But when cops and prosecutors are allowed to ignore asnd interrupt that process "for the sake of the families", we are left with anecdotal evidence, rumor and a lot of anger at all the systems designed to protect violent husbands, as if their assaults were a private matter.
It has always been designed to protect violent male partners/relatives, only more people are becoming aware of how much it does still. Or is it again growing statiscally?
From: "watching the tide roll away" | Registered: Jun 2004
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robbie_dee
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 195
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posted 03 November 2008 07:27 PM
I've been around babble for a while and I know there's a history of certain posters trolling threads like this one. That was definitely not my intent. Unfortunately the problem with starting a post by saying "I'm not trolling" that immediately makes it look like you are in fact trolling. I apologize if that's how I came across. What I was trying to say is that this *is* a senseless tragedy but at the same time there is obviously a broader social context to it. That is what I was asking about. I don't understand because I have had the immense privilege of not being forced to understand by the circumstances of my own life. But I'd like to try as best I can.I will look for the print reference you mentioned the next time I have an opportunity and will also reiterate that I would be very grateful for any links to any online references. Thank you again. [ 03 November 2008: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]
From: Iron City | Registered: Apr 2001
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unionist
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11323
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posted 03 November 2008 08:01 PM
Family of murdered professor received threats: colleague quote: Sylvia Hale, a sociology professor at St. Thomas University, said Monday that lessons should be learned about domestic violence in light of John McKendy's death and the non-life-threatening injuries suffered by his daughter in their home on the outskirts of Fredericton. ...Ms. Hale said in an interview that Mr. McKendy told her of e-mail threats from Mr. Baker. “John was trying to protect his family from a person who appeared to be getting more and more obsessive, compulsive, difficult,” Ms. Hale said. “I think we need more effective protocols for proactive response to domestic abuse situations. There have been far too many situations for women who have been stalked and murdered before some action is taken.”
From: Vote QS! | Registered: Dec 2005
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robbie_dee
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 195
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posted 03 November 2008 08:02 PM
quote: robbie what is it about this particular situation that you find so upsetting? What makes it different for you, from the 100's of others that occur each year?
I don't know, I'll have to think about that. I think it may be because of the bitter irony that McKendy devoted his life to peace but died a violent death. It may also well be because McKendy was male and from a social/class background that made it easier for me to identify with him and caused the story to hit closer to home. It might also just be that this story got more news coverage than a lot of others. I don't know. Thank you for the links. [NOTE - I edited this post to replace an earlier response to Martin. I am being sincere, but that's not really a point worth arguing about, you'll just have to assess my contributions for what you think they're worth. In any case, I think I want to reflect on this for a bit before I post further.] [ 03 November 2008: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]
From: Iron City | Registered: Apr 2001
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Will Hiscock
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4361
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posted 03 November 2008 11:09 PM
This a very sad story indeed, and other than that it was a man, not nearly uncommon enough. There are many difficulties in convicting rape/abuse cases, but this should not alter our belief in the principle of the presumption of innocence, or in requiring proof beyound a reasonable doubt. There are a number of policing changes which might help reduce cases where warnings are ignored and violence is allowed. Information is part of that, but - in this case it may be for the sake of the young woman who has just lost her father, and whose ex has may well have killed himself that not all details are yet public. Not letting the public have full disclosure may well be to protect the families and not a "cover up". Finally - I think the abuse robbie recieved here is uncalled for. I agree that the information is readily avaliable, but looking for suggestions from more educated people in an area, people who share similar views, is a strength of babble. Finding solutions to this evil in our society will take both men and women working together. You do not have to be an expert in this area to care, and attacking those who do only helps to keep this as a "side issue" in our political dialogue
From: St. John's, NL | Registered: Aug 2003
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remind
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 6289
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posted 04 November 2008 08:56 AM
Well, I guess that is one of the reasons why the RCMP want to keep a lid on it, typical typical non-action to prevent violence against women.In other violence against women news the AB government has launched a program that will run through the month of November, "only", trying to address the rampent violence against women, as AB has the highest incidences of violence against women in Canada. WH, I reject your words. As a woman I have found too much tokenism from men, and the expectation that they should be educated by us women, when indeed they do not really want to know or change a thing. All men benefit from violence against women, and that fact has been repeated again and again here, along with literally thousands of threads on it, and robbie dee is no new comer to babble. He has been here 7 years and one would have thought he might have at least read a couple of things about it, out of the thousands there are here, during that time. Moreover, I acknowleged that this might have been a "ah ha" moment for him, and as such did provide some links in good faith. However, I am under no obligation to allow myself to be exploited for my time and effort, if men are not willing to attempt to educate themselves and are only indulging in momentary tokenism because in this instance of domestic abuse a man was killed, not "just" the woman.
From: "watching the tide roll away" | Registered: Jun 2004
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unionist
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11323
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posted 04 November 2008 07:59 PM
Calls continue for inquiry into McKendy killing quote: The Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research has joined the call for a public inquiry into the murder of popular St. Thomas University professor John McKendy. ...Carmen Gill, director of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research, said the provincial government must launch a review of the McKendy murder. "I would recommend the Crown prosecutor's office to take the lead on a particular death, and to review the entire case and see how the police responded, who were the parties involved, what were the services provided, what did we know about this particular case?" Gill said.
From: Vote QS! | Registered: Dec 2005
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unionist
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11323
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posted 06 November 2008 10:53 AM
Finally:RCMP admits error, orders probe into slaying of Fredericton professor quote: RCMP Assistant Commissioner Darrell LaFosse told reporters on Thursday that a statement by the police earlier in the week saying they did not know about threatening e-mails from Baker was not true. ...LaFosse is ordering an independent review into the files surrounding Baker and the McKendy family. The investigation is aimed at finding out whether the police took appropriate action. "This review will begin shortly and the results will be made public," the statement said.
From: Vote QS! | Registered: Dec 2005
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martin dufresne
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11463
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posted 06 November 2008 12:22 PM
The RCMP is doing this not because of "high media attention" but because feminists are fighting tooth and nail to get the truth out, Robbie_Dee. Police forces have done it for common folks, women even, when the women's anti-violence movement applied sufficient pressure. (It's all in "Obsession, With Intent".)Reposted with the author's permission from the PAR-L discussion list: quote: Subject: NB Murder-Suicide - Did RCMP act appropriately?From: Lee Lakeman Hello all, In my opinion, no the RCMP did not act appropriately and what's more I suspect them of now acting to obfuscate rather than clarify the situation. We know and have known for some time that the danger of wife murder (and muder of supportive family members or friends) is depressed men, possessive men, suicidal men who are angry at being left by a woman who has had enough of them. And we also know that they are rendered much more dangerous by the collusive behaviour of a criminal justice system that refuses to restrain them. I suspect that there were complaints to RCMP and they were ignored. I suspect it based on tracing too many cases before this one. I have been lied to on many such occasions about how "She never really told us", "she wasn't sure she wanted action", "no one told us he was dangerous". We in our women's shelter make sour humour now about what the police think women call them for, what they think we do with restraining orders. What the hell is the point of such orders except to tell one's government that he is dangerous and overpowering her and that she needs help from the state! She told them by getting a restraining order She told them by going to her father She told them by calling the police. They did not protect her and her father and yes they could have and no it is not too expensive for them to do so. Closing the case makes sense to them because there is no-one left to charge. It does not make sense to us because vengeance and punishment is not what we are after. Proper policing then required protection for the woman who dared to leave her marriage and go on with her life and it now requires protection for the rest of us by examining the failure of the system particularly the failure of policing in this instance and it requires and connecting it to all the other failures of the kind: like the inquest last year in Windsor for Lori Dupont and her restraining order, and Sherry Heron and her mother Anna Adams and their restraining order and Bonnie Mooney and her friend and daughter and their calls to police and the Vlescic and Fekete cases and on and on. The RCMP is not new to this issue, nor to their failures on wife assault and the murders that too often go with it. Lee Lakeman Also from PAR-L: Ontario has been doing annual domestic violence death reviews for 5 years. Their 2007 report recently came out.
Strong reading matter... if you make the time.[ 06 November 2008: Message edited by: martin dufresne ]
From: "Words Matter" (Mackinnon) | Registered: Dec 2005
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robbie_dee
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 195
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posted 06 November 2008 01:15 PM
Of course I would applaud feminists and activists for putting pressure on the police. But I would imagine those activists have been putting pressure on the police for some time now to be more responsive to domestic violence issues, long before this particular case happened. I think the public attention and media coverage of this case played a big role in causing the RCMP to act here, and even now, it sounds like there are grounds to be skeptical about what will come out of this action. quote: LaFosse is ordering an independent review into the files surrounding Baker and the McKendy family. The investigation is aimed at finding out whether the police took appropriate action and the RCMP have indicated it will be made public. The P.E.I. RCMP will oversee the investigation.Outsourcing the investigation to another police agency is not sitting well with Michael Boudreau, an associate professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at St. Thomas University. "For me, the police investigating the police is highly problematic and in my mind that is not independent. This needs to be passed on to the minister of public safety or independent legal counsel," Boudreau said. Boudreau said he isn't calling into question the credibility of any officer hired to do this study but he believes it would offer the family closure to this tragedy if the investigation would be handled by an outside party. Boudreau said the RCMP apology should have come sooner and he is also questioning whether this mea culpa would have been made in the absence of public pressure.
(quote is from the latter of the two links unionist posted above) Lee Lakeman seems to be saying the same thing in the excerpt you have posted. In my opinion, this case probably got more public attention than most because of who the victim was and some of the particular details of the case. That being said, this could be a good opportunity for activists to pressure the police to change their procedures. Although it sounds like based on where the police are at so far, there's a lot of work still to be done. What I was originally asking about in my first post was what sort of things activists should/would be likely to ask for. What actually works? Despite questioning my motives, remind did provide a helpful list of links I am going to read through, and I appreciate your recommendation of a book as well, although the latter is going to necessitate finding a bookseller who carries or could order it. I am really sorry we seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot on this discussion... [ 06 November 2008: Message edited by: robbie_dee ]
From: Iron City | Registered: Apr 2001
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