' Old case tu ri Teen’s 1976 murder remains unsolved Anna Marie D'Angelo News Reporter adangelo@nsnews.com NORTH Vancouver RCMP have been asking for voluntary DNA sam- ples to clear men from any suspicion ina 1976 murder. On July 17, 1976, the body of 16-year-old Rhona Duncan was found in tall grass in tront ofa closed yarage on Bewicke Avenue in North Vancouver. The teenager’s body was close to her home in the 600-block of West 15th Street. The Carson Graham student had been sex- ually assaulted and strangled. No one has been charged with the murder. Since September of last: year, North Vancouver RCMP serious crime investigators have asked for voluntary DNA samples from men who were “associated” to the case. “We are hoping this will lead us to che indi- vidual responsible.” said Cpl. Ed Warzel, of the serious crime section, “It would be r to put this case to rest, especiaily forthe family.” The night before she died, Duncan was with some friends ata party ata house on East Queens Avenue in which about 60 teenagers from her school gathered. Duncan and three friends walked home at about Tam. Two boys broke off at) West Queens and Mahon heading for their own homes. Duncan and a girl- friend parted company near Wolfe Street and Larson Road close to where the friend lived. Duncan had five blocks to walk alone to her heuse. She was killed a short time later. Warzel declined to say haw many men have MURDER victim Rhona Duncan was 16 when iilled in 1976. been asked and have voluntar- ily submitted to DNA testing. “We alwars keep these files open, but in this case there is a real strong push going on,” said Warzel. The police corporal said Duncan's murder was a big shock to the community and the case continues to generate public interest. He said many people who atrended chat teenage party. have been uneasy over the years with the thought that someone there may have committed the mur- der. Warzel said he was pleased with the cooperation he has received from commu- nity members in the continued investigation of Duncan's murder. He said the voluntary DNA testing was an opportunity for people to clear themselves of any link to the crime. “Em highly optimistic that we will tind the person responsible for this murder.” said Warzel. DNA analysis was not available at the time of Duncan's death. The testing became avail- able about 10 years ago. DNA warrants for mvoluntary testing became legal in Canada sev- eral years ago. Warrants for mvoluntary DNA testing are not issued unless a suspect is clearly identified and connected to the victim and crime scene. North Vancouver RCMP have not asked for such warrants in this case. Legislation is expected this year from the federal government concerning a data bank of certain DNA results, said Warzel. Warzel said that results of the voluntary DNA tests for the case will be destroyed. All of the samples are being analyzed in Vancouver. There is a backlog of samples for DNA test- ing. Warzel said it will take several months for a DNA result to come back to the North Vancouver RCMP. DNa is unique to an indi- vidual. Suspended NV Mountie faces criminal charge Anna Maria D’Angeio News Reporter adangelo@news.com A suspended North Vancouver Mountie has been charged with communicating for the purpose of obtaining the sexual services of a prostitute. Const. Paul Kenneth MacGregor, 30, was charged on Tuesday in connection with a Nov. 19, 1999, incident in Vancouver. MacGregor, a drug section officer, was suspended with pay shortly after the allegations were made. He has been a Mountie for 1] years, the fast three of which he served in North Vancouver. According to search warrant information, MacGregor picked up a 21-year-old prostitute at Cambie and Cordova. MacGregor was driving a North Vancouver RCMP SUV. The vehicle was a 1999 Nissan Pathlinder. According to search warrant information, MacGregor drove to a gas station bank machine and withdrew money after negotiating a price of $40 for sex acts with the prostitute. He is then alleged to have driven with the prostitute to a secluded spot near the 1500-block of East Georgia. The search warrant states that “they were in the process of engaging in sexual intercourse (in the vehicle) when an unknowa female, thought to be another working: girl started throwing objects (at the unmarked police vehicle).” The driver's side window was shattered and the windshield cracked. MacGregor drove away “which led to the initial contact by Vancouver Police.” MacGregor allegedly “drove evasively as he was trying to clude See Charac pageS ; Decriminalization of drugs pushed Marcie Good Contribusing Writer DRUG addiction should be seen as a health issue rather than a criminal problem, Coun. Ernie Crist told North Vancouver District council on Monday night. In explaining his motion to have the district go on record sup- porting the decriminalization of illegal drugs for personal use, Crist argued that authorities should focus on treating users rather than punishing them. Three years ago, Attorney-General Ujjal Dosanjh asked for comments from municipalities about the issue of decriminalizing possession of illegal drugs. Crist then brought forward a motion, which was defeated, in support of decriminalization, Now, he said, is the time to bring up the issue again. “Up to now the solution of punishing addicts has been unsuc- cessful and expensive,” he said. “But I know it is difficult for our culture to accept the idea of not treating these people as crimi- nals.” : According, to Crist’s report to council, the point of such a move would be to “ailow the medical profession to enter the arena by eating drug addicts as medical patients”; and “to deprive the drug pushers of their most valuable market (i.e. drug users) and by See Crist’s pageS Crunch time NEWS photo Cindy Goodman BC Hydro’s Eric Ethier calls for assistance after a tree-chipping truck roiled into a power pole on Monday in the 900-block of East 4th Street in North Vancouver. The runaway truck rolled down a steep hill and crashed into the pole. No Injuries were reported. orkers to vote From page | they don’t want their vessels tied up behind picket lines.” Vancouver Shipyard employees at Vancouver Dry Dock and the Pemberton repair facility (which service ships, cugs, and barges) expected pink slips by the end of today. Those working on the con- struction of the third and final PacifiCat fast ferry at the Catamaran Ferries International (CFI) assembly hall have already received their marching orders. Should ratification fail, said Eaton, chances are the same workers will con- tinue their efforts on the fast ferry as employees of another subcontractor. “The work’s got to be finished,” he said. “It makes sense te keep the same people on the job.” But he said workers had a “feeling of disappointment” in Vancouver Shipyards: “They’ve been working hard for three years. When push comes to shove, they (Vancouver Shipyards) are looking after the business. We've had no explanation. We've just been told there’s a lack of work.” Vancouver Shipyards executive vice- president John Chard said the company had finished its contract at CFI, but would have been able to make a bid for the remaitider of the work on the fast ferry had the threat of a labour dispute not arisen. “There's a substantial amount of work there,” said Chard. “Unfortunately, we're not in the gamc.” Just before Christmas, Fisheries and Oceans Minister Herb Dhaliwal MP visited Vancouver Dry Dock to announce a legislative change that would allow the repair of American vessels in Canadian ports. The change was expected to bring in - an additional $35 million a year in repair work. It was hailed by Vancouver Shipyards bosses as “very positive for the industry.” Chard said the company had since lost three contracts because of potential “There’s a sub- stantial amount of work there. “Unfortunately, we’re not in the game.” — John Chard, Vancouver Shipyards n contract job action —two of which were from American vessel owners seeking repairs. “They said, ‘sorry, we just can’t take the risk,’” said Chard. “They have taken their vessels else- where. It’s very difficult to attract any business to a shipyard facing a labour stoppage.” Chard said the company had also been told by potential . clients that they were no longer competitive. He insisted the contract offer, which has been on the table for a number of weeks, was a fair one. He said the key issue for the shipyard was an increase in productivity, and that there would be no rollback in wages. Flexibility (one man for one job) has also been a sticking point. “We hope (workers) can see the comi- pany’s side of it,” he said. “We need to ensure the long-term viability of, the shipyard.” .