Former Saskatchewan cabinet minister and convicted murderer Colin Thatcher
says there is no need for TV cameras in Canadian courtrooms.
Mr. Thatcher
made a rare public appearance Saturday, appearing at a conference of radio
and television news directors in Saskatoon.
His 1984 trial for the murder of his ex-wife JoAnn Wilson was the focus
of intense media coverage.
But Mr. Thatcher told the Radio and Television News Directors Association
that it would be a mistake to follow the U.S. example and allow televised
court proceedings.
Last month, Ontario's attorney general said he's open to allowing cameras
in courtrooms and says the time is right to consult the legal community on
the subject.
Mr. Thatcher says he thinks cameras would taint the outcome of trials,
and would lead to performances on both sides.
“I think it's something we don't need,” he said.
Mr. Thatcher, however, believes media should be able to talk to jurors
after trials like they can in the United States.
Mr. Thatcher was granted full parole five years ago and has always
maintained his innocence.
He told the conference that in hindsight it may have been a mistake not
to talk to the media during his murder trial.
The Crown addressed reporters each day of the trial, and Mr. Thatcher
says it was a tactical decision by the defence not to follow suit. However
he agreed with his attorney's decision at the time.
Let's not use the question of correctness of the conviction of Collin
Thatcher to divert from the issue of camera's in the court room.
Fact is, court rooms are "controlled" by judges who go to classes on "court room
control", that enable some of societies worst psychopaths, and those with
serious personality disorders to become judges, where they flagrantly and
habitually abuse their judicial discretion.
Just visit 161 Elgin Street Ottawa Superior Court and watch the dishonorable
Allan Sheffield for an example of one of the most hated judges in Canada.
Sheffield is an example of just one of many judges who make up the "underbelly
of the Judiciary"
Good judges could not care less about Camera's in the court room. Good competent
saint like judges welcome the public to watch proceedings, they are proud of how
their court rooms operate and for the public to see ethical professionals at
work.
Its the underbelly of the Judiciary that operate "secret courts", they exclude
anyone who they think might be a threat of exposure to them, anyone who might be
a witness to their dirty deeds of making decisions for their friends , or
against their enemies or to protect the Legal Cartel by making orders for costs
against, those who have not retained a lawyer.
The Underbelly don't report decisions as often as ethical judges, they hide for
decades without reporting a single decision.
Take the corrupt Justice Richard Lajoie formally of Timmins, well known in
northeastern Ontario as blatantly corrupt. He has a habit of leering the the
front of female prosecutors and lawyers, and drinking excessively the night
before working. While being on the bench for over a decade he has just a handful
of reported decisions and a reputation for excluding as many people as possible
from the court room and making threats and intimidation to ensure that anything
mentioned in the court room does not go outside, because it might embarass him.
The well known saints of the judiciary don't want credit, they don't want to be
named, they also don't mind camera's or recordings made of their proceedings.
Ontario Courts had a direction by Justice Howland that allowed tape recordings
of proceedings under generous circumstances, however later, the Ontario courts
introduced "security measures" at most court houses that prevent any such device
from being brought into the court room.
Why do we need camera's and audio recordings or live audio?
Because JUDGES CAN AND DO ORDER (without any admission) THAT TRANSCRIPTS BE
ALTERED.
Judges, court reporters routinely leave out, change the odd word to create
incredible injustice or difficulties for litigants they don't like. Its a form
of corruption and nothing serves more as a deterrent to underbelly dead beat
judges than a camera in the court room.
Anyhow, there are a stack of other people who would be more suitable to comment
on this story than Thatcher whose conviction raises a lot of questions that may
or may not mean he is a victim or a murderer.
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