In a letter from the Criminal Conviction Review Group dated September 9, 2009 I received notification that my matter had proceeded from the Preliminary Assessment Stage to Investigation Stage of the Review process.
It was May 2006 when I had initially applied for a review of my conviction. In February 2009, the Innocense Project submited an application on my behalf regarding this matter.
I am extremely happy to see that there has been progress made. I would like to thank all the people involved for their time and support.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Wrongful Conviction Receives International Recognition
I recently received an extremely generous offer from Innocence International to help with my case. Although it was decided that their assistance at this point was not warranted, they graciously left the door open for us to possibly work together in the future.
I was very happy to hear of this most recent developement and wish to thank Dr. Carter and his organization for their interest and support!
I was very happy to hear of this most recent developement and wish to thank Dr. Carter and his organization for their interest and support!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
It has now been 3 years since the CBC documentary, "Tainted Evidence - Forensics on Trial" was shown. It has also been 3 years since I applied to the Crimnal Conviction Review Group for a Judicial Review of my case. This application was significant new evidence supporting my claim of innocence.
Mid June 2009 will mark 9 years that I have spent in prison waiting for this nightmare to come to an end. In light of the strong case I have it was hoped that the CCRG would have already acted accordingly and had moved things along. As of today, June 1 2009 nothing has happened and I sit here wandering what is taking so long.
I realize that mine is not the only case that the CCRG has to deal with, but that being said, the amount of materials put forward for the review could / should have been able to have been dealt with in a matter of weeks or possibly months but not years.
When it comes to these types of legal matters it seems that theere are unlimited resources when the government chooses to try to convict an individual but when it comes to dealing with wrongful convictions the effort appears to disappear. In my last 9 years of trying to get my conviction overturned, the impression that I have got is that the powers involved in dealing with this would just as soon see the matter would simply, quietly go away rather then to see true justice delivered.
Justice Delayed = Justice Denied
My lawyers and myself are now waiting for the CCRG to announce that they have completed their initial assessment. Once they have done so we will then be able to make an application for my release while the rest of the process is completed. Given the strong evidence put forward by us in this matter, and the amount of time that has already passed, positive action is expected soon.
Mid June 2009 will mark 9 years that I have spent in prison waiting for this nightmare to come to an end. In light of the strong case I have it was hoped that the CCRG would have already acted accordingly and had moved things along. As of today, June 1 2009 nothing has happened and I sit here wandering what is taking so long.
I realize that mine is not the only case that the CCRG has to deal with, but that being said, the amount of materials put forward for the review could / should have been able to have been dealt with in a matter of weeks or possibly months but not years.
When it comes to these types of legal matters it seems that theere are unlimited resources when the government chooses to try to convict an individual but when it comes to dealing with wrongful convictions the effort appears to disappear. In my last 9 years of trying to get my conviction overturned, the impression that I have got is that the powers involved in dealing with this would just as soon see the matter would simply, quietly go away rather then to see true justice delivered.
Justice Delayed = Justice Denied
My lawyers and myself are now waiting for the CCRG to announce that they have completed their initial assessment. Once they have done so we will then be able to make an application for my release while the rest of the process is completed. Given the strong evidence put forward by us in this matter, and the amount of time that has already passed, positive action is expected soon.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Innonce Project
On February 13 2009, the Innocence Project launched a s.696 application for a Ministerial Review on behalf of Leon Walchuk. The application includes an extensive fire investigative report contradicting most of the Crown witness testimony which resulted in Walchuk's second degree murder conviction.
A second expert was also consulted by the Innocence Project, who arrived at a similar conclusion. All information was forwarded to the Criminal Conviction Revve Group in support of the application to have the conviction overturned.
A second expert was also consulted by the Innocence Project, who arrived at a similar conclusion. All information was forwarded to the Criminal Conviction Revve Group in support of the application to have the conviction overturned.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Update from The Innocence Project
Finally, after months of delays, again, The Innocence Project is ready to submit their 696 application to the Convictions Review Group.In addition, the Saskatchewan Justice Department has sent confirmation regarding Supreme Court rules in this province which states that Leon's case does not have to be heard by the Supreme Court prior to being reviewed by the Convictions Review Group.Once this 696 application is submitted and the review commences, Leon will have the opportunity to apply for bail pending the Review Group's decision. We are confident that this would be a successful court application.The application being filed is very favorable to Leon in proving his innocence. The scientific evidence contained in this application can not be refuted and this continuing cover up will not continue.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)