Better Late Than Never

Speaking out about the "Criminal Justice Reward System" is taboo if you are a member of the "justice" system. The laws are in place but judges and Corrections Canada seem to try interpret every nuance using the the charter.

The Last Laugh

Calgary Sun, Dec 19, 2006;

Calgarians are mad as hell and we don’t want to take it anymore.

That’s the way this newspaper interprets the massive outpouring of public support for Const. Shaun Horne, who revealed he lost faith in the legal system after Justice of the Peace Kristine Robidoux decided to release Albert Walter Brazill, despite the fact he had 65 convictions for crimes from kidnapping, extortion and armed robbery to forcible confinement — and was wanted on Canada-wide warrants.

Hardly what you’d call a model citizen.

Horne called the JP’s decision a “mockery and a joke” and swore at the suspect in court. From his outburst, which he knew would bring disciplinary action down on his head, it’s fair to assume the 25-year police veteran was mad as hell and doesn’t want to take it anymore, either.

We can’t defend Horne’s actions in the courtroom. As a letter below from Ian Wilms, Chair of the Calgary Police Commission points out, Horne was professionally out of line by mouthing off. If everybody vented their inner sentiments in court, there would be even more disorder than we see now.

Still, Horne offers some compelling reasons for his outburst, which he said was the result of years of pent-up frustration. After the justice of the peace released the suspect, he failed to show up for his next court appearance.

Horne’s actions have hit a raw nerve with a public fed up with our revolving door system of justice. Violent offenders are too often released into the community, where they have a chance to offend again.

Horne earned sympathy for refusing to back down and for taking his lumps. To top it off, he is donating his time while on suspension, as well as donations offered to him, to the Salvation Army. No wonder many consider him a hero.


A corrections officer writes;

Here's the joke: The organization which he is donating his time and money to, (Drumheller branch), on Monday, December 18, arrived at the Drumheller Penitentiary with approximately $5,000 worth of Christmas bags, stuffed full of candy and other goodies, specifically for the 550-odd inmates serving time there. Not for the homeless. Not for the poor. Not for the destitute.

For the convicted criminals, eating 3 hot meals a day, drawing a wage for doing work or attending school, playing hockey on the institution skating rink (recently reconstructed following being burnt down BY THE INMATES, twice, during 2 separate riots in 2001). Inmates sitting on their beds, watching TV and sponging off of society, who have a canteen where they can purchase candy and cigarettes and pop and chips for grossly discounted prices, were so deserving of this show of charity. I'm sure that the humanitarian side of Cst Shaun Horne thinks it's a good idea. I'm also sure that the cop side of him would scream in frustration if he knew.

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