Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Basi-Virk trial takes break till September 13 after hearing just one witness!

Well, that's that - one witness testifies and the Basi-Virk/BC Legislature Raid trial goes on vacation till September 13!

Unbelievable in my view.

I was unable to attend today due to my car accident but nothing happened anyway, as Neal Hall of the Vancouver Sun and Keith Fraser of the Province reported.

"We'll see you September 13. Enjoy your summer."


With that, B.C. Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice Anne MacKenzie dismissed the jury.

Allan Wallace of CIBC World Markets - which handled much of the BC Liberal government's $1 billion privatization of BC Rail to CN Rail in 2003 - was scheduled to testify today but will presumably be the second witness on September 13.

But just don't count on it.

.

28 comments:

Crankypants said...

Maybe the judge heard about your accident and figured this would give you time to recuperate.

The pace at which this trial is going makes the OJ Simpson car chase on the freeway look like a scene from Bullet.

Anonymous said...

A W E S O M E

more time to organize the recall campaigns without the silly distraction of a show trial

Anonymous said...

reading through Karen Howlett's piece in the Globe and Mail abou the change of leadership at the OPP. The article reviews some of Fantino's history and includes this bit: "Last December charges at the heart of a disciplinary matter involving Mr. Fantino were dropped, the same day the cross-examination of Ontario's top police officer was to resume after being delayed by legal motions."

Is history repeating itself in Courtroom 54?

Anonymous said...

"figured this would give you time to recuperate.

The pace at which this trial is going makes the OJ Simpson car chase on the freeway look like a scene from Bullet."

Another silly statement. Sorry to disappoint but the procedings of the court have nothing to do whether any observers can make it to a seat or.

Comparison to OJ is way off base
obviously creativity gone wild.

Court case also has nothing to do with the recall campaigns, other than those who are following both can at least ue their smarts to start figuring out what to do first on the recalls.


Enjoy the summer.

kootcoot said...

Anon-O-mouse at 7:56 AM is bang on at describing his own recognizable and frankly boring contributions with:

"Another silly statement"

If you couldn't understand that crankypants was having fun, you are even less mentally equipped than your frequent worthless contributions already indicate.

I would have said the "Simpson car chase on the freeway look like a scene from" the French Connection, but then I never saw Bullit.

But hey, we all need the odd laugh!

G West said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kim said...

Bill, hope you are feeling better. Did they get a plate #?

Who would one appeal the publication ban to? Seems to BC Mary that we might be in a good position right now to apply some pressure to the gaping wound we call public disclosure and accountability. But who would be the person or officer to petition?

Feel better, breathe deeply, we are behind you.

Anonymous said...

What a joke this trial has become.

http://twitter.com/bcrailtrial

1 witness testified;
lawyers paid by the hour;
2 month summer break;
justice in BC... priceless

Anonymous said...

"How is it possible to take a 'break' from a series of 'activities' which could only - all other things being equal - be characterized as 'taking a break' in the first place?"

Quite easily. Jusr stop doing them.

"And, kootcoot, I have to agree with you, the BC Boy (anon 7:56) who couldn't understand the satirical nature of "Crankypants" funny and very appropriate comment is the one who is making (not strange for him) another silly statement."

Who ever this anon is, he isn't the only one to set silly statements. The poster who labells himself G West has made many. Including his recent one.

But it's all for hobby and fun.

"However, it isn't the first time we've seen such 'silliness' from that neighbourhood."

or this one.


And, if you have a moment – rent “Bullitt” – it’s a story built around an avenging angel metaphor that would be entirely appropriate here in the ‘Best Place on Earth’.
We need more Frank Bullitts.

Sure we need more movie actors who play in 1970's vintage films and those who stupidly try to reference such fantasy to politics here in B.C., while us in the NDP ponder what should the party do to bring in a higher profile and actually lead while following VanderZalm, and his Zalmoids like Koot and G West.



And, it has one hell of a car chase in it. Never could drive around San Francisco with quite the same feeling after I watched the film….

Anonymous said...

"What a joke this trial has become.

1 witness testified;
lawyers paid by the hour;
2 month summer break;
justice in BC... priceless"

What do you expect? A fast resolution by July 15th??

Welcome to the real world of the justice system (which also had agonizing delays when we, the NDP were in power)

Anonymous said...

"And, it has one hell of a car chase in it. Never could drive around San Francisco with quite the same feeling after I watched the film…."

or after being on Mission Street and an effeminate guy decided G West would make a nice best friend
because West was cute looking.

The swerving back and forth on the Bay Bridge to get past traffic must have been spectacular.

Not to mention that his car actually did do 120 MPH.

Plus the negotiating the curve to I-80 northbound on two wheels.

and the drifting on the curve from I-80 east to I-5 north..

Anonymous said...

Why didn't we hear from Allan Wallace today? I thought that he was the next witness?

Henri Paul said...

MacKenzie is probaly going to be sitting on her duff doing squat for most of the summer , maybe someone could send her a few series of Judge Judy to watch, and if she pays real close attention, she may learn how to at least act like a real Judge

Anonymous said...

"MacKenzie is probaly going to be sitting on her duff doing squat for most of the summer , maybe someone could send her a few series of Judge Judy to watch, and if she pays real close attention, she may learn how to at least act like a real Judge"

Actually she would be busy with other cases. She's probaly watched Judge Judy.

She has alot more legal education than the armchair lawyes writing to this blog.

Certainly doesn't need any advice from comptuer chair lawyers who figure they know more about court procedings than she does.

Court case handling is in reality far from what one sees on U.S. TV shows.

Just going to have to wait it out until September.

Anonymous said...

A break? good god is this the biggest mockery of justice going on in Canada, a huge trial that has cost unknown billions by now is on a break! until sept... one witness who know nothing remembers even less.. how can we stop this? I just read the big three newspapers on line and I didn't see anything written about the break til sept perhaps I missed the artical it should have been front page news with reporters digging for information for the public and demanding more disclosure

full disclosure said...

BC Boy has now completely lost the plot.

Anonymous said...

Enjoy the summer. Don't worry too much about contributors who have different opinions from your own.

No need to worry about the court case either. There's nothing you can do about so might as well jsut put it away for the summer like the rest of us have.

If you don't you'll just go nuts like some of the other left wingers who post here have already.

Bill will have tons of other interesting subjects to cover for your reading pleasure.

Hopefully one that is about how our NDP party is actually going to be seen in the public's mind as the alternative to the BC Liberals.

Henri Paul said...

Anonymous said...9:40 PM PDT
Actually she would be busy with other cases.
-----------------------------------
Other cases you say, yea right, cases of Whiskey and Scotch.
Go back in your corner smelling Judges old cast away wigs.

Anonymous said...

"Other cases you say, yea right, cases of Whiskey and Scotch.
Go back in your corner smelling Judges old cast away wigs."

Cool down and try not to equate real court activity with those you see on scripted U.S. TV shows. It's quite different in reality.

Try to learn more about it.

Henri Paul said...

Anonymous said...8:36 PM PDT
Try to learn more about it.
----------------------------------
Please elaborate ...

Anonymous said...

"Please elaborate ..."

Start with the fundamentals as to how the court system works in terms of process. Ask a lawyer friend.

Peel off the "I want this case resolved now because I fuckin' hate the BC Liberls" political crap.

Better yet take some courses in school in basic case law.

I don't like the way the court case has been going, but we have to live with what the judge decides how to proceed.

If you don't like the court system at the provincial level as it now stands, get the NDP to change it.

Bill has the inside route to many locations within the NDP so what he should do is work it over the summer.

Cryin' is going to help.

Henri Paul said...

Henri Paul said... 12:44 PM PDT

Anonymous said...8:36 PM PDT
Try to learn more about it.
----------------------------------
Please elaborate ...
=================================
Just as I expected, no reply forthcoming from Anonymous 8:36 PM PDT

BC Mary said...

There's plenty we can do, on the BC Rail Political Corruption Case, over the summer.

The media is entitled to apply to the courts for a ruling to lift the Publication Ban on the BC Rail Political Corruption Trial. Even a partial lift. So far as we know, media has failed to do so. Therefore: we the people could be contacting media asking them to act. I'll be sending my e.mails starting at the Editor-in-Chief level.

Seems to me, then, that if media's needs are customarily acknowledged by means of an application to the court, it follows that the public interest also has a legitimate position from which to seek relief from this Publication Ban.

HOW DO WE DO THAT??

I'm away from home right now ... but hoping that someone will advise on this ... so that the 2-month court recess can be used to the public's advantage.
.

Bill: I hope you're making a speedy recovery.
.

DPL said...

The reality is that the case has now been slotted to resume in September. Sure a lot of folks writing here may not like it but that's what has been decided. Maybe some anger could be directed to the government for reducing court houses. The judge and lawyers won't be sitting around. In the few times I attended in the superior court , dates and times were getting juggled around. Yes this case is serious but a large number of BC citizens don't seem aware of it.

Bill Tieleman said...

Thanks for the kind comments BC Mary and others on my health - I'm doing okay and well on the mend.

And I now have months to get ready for Basi-Virk Witness 2!

The publication ban question is well worth considering.

Unfortunately it would definitely require retaining a lawywer at some considerable expense - barring the appearance of a veteran media lawyer who knows what he or she is doing and will do some pro bono work for the public.

Should such legal minds be reading - or people with deep pockets - please get in touch with me.

Henri Paul said...

Anonymous said... 5:40 PM PDT
Start with the fundamentals as to how the court system works in terms of process. Ask a lawyer friend.
----------------------------------
I don't have as you say "a lawyer friend" but Im aware of what occured to a lawyer a few years back.
Vancouver lawyer Jack Cram.
Matter a fact I think Jacks case in many ways parallels what is occurring with The Judiciary and media today.EG possibly the Basi-Virk case.
Im sure this story will be an eye opener for those who read the following story.


http://www.freewebs.com/partyocitizens/jackcramstory.htm

Anonymous said...

So far, there has only been, brain dead Martyn Brown. Makes a person wonder, if he can remember his way home. The trial does seem a farce. Perhaps, if they got a real kangaroo, to replace MacKenzie, the trial could go along at a normal pace. Bill and BC Mary, I am very happy, that you do this service for us. I don't have a lick of patience, especially with el torro poo poo.

Anonymous said...

Well, such things have to be dragged out as long as possible. King Gord, controls the Judicial system, the RCMP, newspapers, some TV media, the FOI, his ministers, are ordered, to make sure they mention, Gord's strong leadership. There are things a-goin on in this province, that makes a person hold their nose.