Calgary — The Canadian Press Published on Friday, Sep. 17, 2010
RCMP have arrested a man on criminal libel charges after messages critical of the Calgary Police Service were posted on a U.S. website.
Mounties say the man is accused of making false statements about two officers and that he and the website interfered with a homicide investigation.
Police say the web postings also accused Calgary Police Service leaders of perjury, corruption and destruction of evidence.
RCMP Sgt. Patrick Webb says it is rare for police to lay criminal libel charges, which carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.
Sgt. Webb says the RCMP has no legal power to shut down the U.S. website but have asked the owners of the site to voluntarily remove the postings.
John Kelly, 53, of Calgary is charged with four counts of criminal libel and one count of obstruction.
Don't hold your breath for a conviction on these charges.
There is a very high probability that a number of valid defenses will be raised
one of which could be that the statements made are true.
Police across Canada use this charge as a form of intimidation especially against
those who make politically incorrect statements that offend authorities.
Lets watch this one and see what happens.