"ELECTION PRANKSTER CHARGE DROPPED"

"PLYWOOD MAN" VOWS
TO "STRIKE" AGAIN

by Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

P. 14 Aug. 13, 2004, Yellowknifer


  Crown prosecutors have decided not to proceed with
an assault charge against a Yellowknife man who threw
bags filled with dyed powder at federal election
candidates during a public forum last June.
Mark Bogan was scheduled to appear in court Monday to
answer to a single charge of assault with a weapon,
but the Crown dropped his case against him.
  "There you go, you can commit serious, heinous
crimes in Canada and walk away a free man", said
Bogan, adding that he was surprised the charge against
him was dropped.
  Bogan was arrested after lobbing several small
plastic bags containing what he said was a mix of
flour, blue chalk and "purple clothing dye from
Wal-Mart" at an Alternatives North-sponsored
all-candidates forum, June 23.
  None of the bags hit the four candidates seated at
a table before a large group of residents gathered at
Northern United Place.
 
  HEART WAS PUMPING
 
  "I just went off and threw them", said Bogan
  "I don't see well, and your heart is pumping, and
your adrenaline is going and you just strike when you
can."
  He said his stunt was inspired by a similar incident
that occured in the British Parliament, where a
father's activist struck Tony Blair with a bag full of
dyed chalk.

  JUSTICE SYSTEM

  Like that man, Bogan is frustrated with what he
claims is a biased justice system that routinely
ignores or rules against non-custodial parents when
trying to obtain visiting rights.  Bogan said he
hasn't seen his eldest son in eight years, and his
youngest in three.

  Earlier this year, Bogan launched a petition drive
to get the Yellowknife Health and Social Services
Authority to create a support group for father's who
have been estranged from their children.

  He is often seen around town wearing a
superhero-like costume, for which he goes by the name
"PLYWOOD MAN".

  Crown counsel Sadie Bond refused to explain why the
charge against him Bogan was dropped.

  "with all the charges, the Crown has to assess
whether there is reasonable prospect of conviction,
and whether or not it's in the public's interest to
proceed with the charge", said Bond.

  "We've done that assessment, and we're not proceeding
with that charge".

  When asked of Northern politicians should be on the
lookout for PLYWOOD MAN, Bogan said they should count
it.

  "PLYWOOD MAN will always strike", said Bogan.

  "I've been stripped by justice, my friend".

END

1/4 page page photo, 3 persons, one holding placard
that reads "BIG PLANS"  "BIG PROMISES"  "BIG LIES"

Caption
Mark Bogan, center holds up a "fathers-4-justice"
placard outside the courthouse, Aug. 10, with other
supporters who wished to be anonymous.  Bogan had been
charged with assault after throwing several powder
filled bags at federal election candidates at a public
forum in June.

Source

 

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