I have confirmed that there will be a short - less than 30 minutes - pre-trial hearing in the BC Legislature Raid case at BC Supreme Court on Monday February 8 at 10 a.m.<- David Basi
At that hearing the Special Prosecutor and defence counsel for David Basi, Bob Virk and Aneal Basi - the accused former BC Liberal government aides facing corruption charges connected to the $1 billion privatization of BC Rail in 2003 - will report on progress in moving towards a trial.
The date for that trial may be set on Monday or may be put over to another scheduled hearing on Wednesday February 10 at 10 a.m.
Watch this blog for a full report Monday as soon as possible.
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8 comments:
I suspect the sudden cooperation between prosecutors and defense lawyers is going to result in a deal that will involve guilty pleas to innocuous charges, then conditional discharges that won't result in a criminal record. BC Government will reimburse a portion (almost all) of defendant's legal expenses. The quid pro quo is the defendants' agreement to keep all information confidential.
I understand yours and others' skepticism after this length of time Norman but I firmly believe we will see a trial, not any guilty pleas.
Lets hope so -- the people of BC have a right to know every detail of this sordid mess.
If Farrell's suspicions pan out, would a public inquiry, at the taxpayers expense be next?
Surely we've already paid enough upfront to justify the the continuation of the judicial process.
We must to get to the bottom of this in order to get to the top.
If and when this trial gets started , and if and when the fellows are found guilty, their court costs will be massive. If they are found not guilty, well the government picks up the bill. We all await some movement, and of course remember, they are innocent unless proven other wise.
I'm hoping for the trial, too. I can't see any better way of having the facts presented under oath for proper consideration ... by us, as well as by the judge.
What does worry me a bit is this interim phase in which it seems as if the judge has been dismissed and the Prosecution and Defence are having their own negotiations in private ... like a secret trial.
I don't know enough law to understand how commonplace this is, or what it's called -- is it a voir dire? No, I don't think so, because Basi & Virk aren't included ... or, are they?
Very little has been said about this strange interlude. Bill, could you explain? I mean, it just seems so unguarded and unprotected, somehow.
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Mary - it's most definitely not a voir dire - the defence and Special Prosecutor have been engaged in negotiations of one sort or another since the beginning of these interminable hearings. The alternative is to have Justice MacKenzie rule, as did Justice Bennett, on their disagreements.
It will be interesting to see what happens Monday.
Biil,
the crown wants to call 10 witness', but what about the secert witness?
I presume the "secret" witness is among those 7 to 10.
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