CANADA
Sylvia’s Site
A GUILTY verdict in the Kingston Frontenac court this morning for Father Rene Labelle.
17 January 2014: “Priest found guilty of sexual assault ” & related article
A merciful end to a difficult week for the complainant and his family.
As I have said before, there is no rejoicing on occasions such as this. I can speak for myself here and say that I personally was relieved. Not because I didn’t think he was guilty, but because one truly never knows for certain how a judge will view the evidence. So, relief yes, but, for myself and the others in the small packed courtroom, – no rejoicing. Tears. A smile or two. No jubilation.
I will reiterate again that the Crown did an outstanding job on cross-examination, and again in closing submissions.
And I must right now tell you that Justice Timothy Ray`s rendering of the verdict would truly have warmed the cockles of your heart. My but he spoke with such strength and passion. He essentially determined that nothing Labelle had to say in his denials was credible, and that everything he heard from the victim and the young man`s mother and father was credible.
After the verdict, when it came time sort out what conditions Father Labelle would be under pending sentencing his lawyer Mr. Ecclestone mentioned that Labelle likes to go out for walks and sometimes he might walk through a park and, well, wouldn`t that be alright?
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