>' 30 — Wednesday, September 3, 1997 — Face it: LAST week I discussed the charge approval sys- tem employed by Crown Counsel under direction of the Ministry of the Attorney General. I was unequivocal in asserting the system doesn’t work and, in my opinion, it is being driven by political and . related financial consid- erations. The columns generated a ‘considerable amount of feed- back, most supportive, but some suggested I am strictly a “throw away the key” - Not true. Not by a long shot. Inherent in what I am say- ing is the simple recognition _ _ of reality that some people are beyond salvaging. '.. The people responsible for “administering the j justice sys- tem need to recognize and admit this fact. In doing so, they must then pursue the “prosecution of those individ- uals with vigor. For, you see, the Protection of society is proval sys- cane _ tem, as it is employed, is a dereliction of that duty. But : ‘it doesn’t end there. the re bey to admit some. people are beyond redemp ford ‘will never their including | Crown * unsel and reams mple, Ict’s loo case of a *. ” pid ‘cnough to get caught,’ which he does with alarming, gularity. - He got out of jail in carly. spring. Shortly thereafter, : North. Van RCMP noticed they were being hit with a ‘rash of “cat burglaries,” a ther insipid type. of crime in: ich the pe tor breaks into homes w: le the resi- dents sle ae a break-in odeuned at a home in Lynn ~ : Malley. The owners lost - thief. took the car keys from “inside the house and drove North Shore News SOME Leo Knight crime and .| punishment The potice, knowing “Badguy” was out of prison and the crime matched his normal MO, searched the area around his house and, lo and behold, they found the stolen BMW. They set up surveillance of the car and Iater in the day, who should get into the car using a set of car keys stolen from the house in Lynn Valley? Righto! “Bobby Badguy.” - “Badguy” was duly arrest- ed for the initial B&E, pos- session of stolen property and possession of house breaking instruments. “Badguy,” I might add, was already out on bail relative to another theft charge from two o weeks SERVICE c. A.A. - bad guys beyond redemption prior to this matter. The police asked the Crown to seek an order to keep “Badguy” in custady pending trial. One of the rea- sons for keeping someone in custody while awaiting trial — so-called “dead” time — is to protect the public and pre- vent a repetition or continua- tion of the offence. The police argued that “Badguy” was a habitual criminal and would keep committing crimes as long as he was free. The charge approval sys- tem kicked in and the BRE charge wasn’t laid merely the - possession of stolen property. The Crown Counsel appear- ing in the matter did not, for some inexplicable reason, seek custody of “Badguy” pending trial. Apparently, according to what the police were told, “Badguy” had ° never been convicted of Failure to Appear, and was, therefore, not a flight risk. He was duly released on bail of $500. That is, by the-way, a non-cash bail. Simply a promise to pay if A.B.A. - APPROVED | 4 wie TUNE-UP SPECIALISTS A irCare Gov. Certified 450223 | OUR 39TH YEAR. 6. PEMBERTON AVE. N.VAN._ . " HOUSE | Wednesday Sept 10. and ty’ age: out over 40 pieces cf specially-bulg play equipment, meet. the’ teacher and play with auf OPEN. Call anw for mere inforofon . OF fo register ote CONSULTATION ra 2857485. tziai rs ‘appropriate : Fr Srouah 4 112 yoars od. Como Play a Yn Gn Gos Mm Oo Ca Bt = ' GYMBOREE. HOUSE. 984-2370 Held ct 1525 Tor Way, {Si. Dewvid's United Church) _ ‘WEST VANCOUVER Cinsses sirort Sent 177 GM 7 & sun fer 12 weeks BOREE he didn‘t show up for trial. How: the courts collect if the accused doesn’t show up is an altogether different matter, but I digress. The police were outraged. The Mounties subsequently issued a press release outlin- ing the details of the case and indicated “Badguy” was “known to police,” 4 com- monly used euphemism meaning the guy is a boil on the butt of society. The North Shore News reported the matter in a brief story I’m sure most of you barely noticed. What wasn’t reported, and is a matter of public record, lest anyone suggest I’m doing somethin wrong, was his record of com victions. . What follows here i is a list. of “Badguy’s” criminal pedi- ~ gree and why the police wanted this guy confined for ~ the public good. This does See Convictions page 3 We're starting our mornings earlier for your convenience. $:00ar to pt» . on onal ee oe 7 relies Levis, Marae Siked ffalo. Cal iwi kk anil only at Eaton’ Ss Attitude lel wae, Jan Ret feat! SiiverTab.