The issue people have NOW is that there are NOW better scientific ways to collect the DNA and the artifacts should be tested again.
Too many Questions? But here are a few answers.
Prior to the court case: There were many murders over at least 20 years (kind estimate). According to many front-line workers, the Vancouver Police “simply did not investigate suspicious murders of women on the down-town east side”; this will be elaborated on in a separate press release.
Eventually, an investigation was conducted; Wayne Clary, an RCMP member involved from the early years, said he was “pissed” off that the Crown Council dismissed 21 charges. Wayne then changed his choice of word to “disappointed,” but since he is only human like you and me, I think it is safe to say that we are all, to put it mildly, pissed off.
Brief overview: 6 charges laid and convictions obtained, 27 charges laid but stayed by Crown Counsel, 6 additional charges proposed by Police to Crown but charges not laid. It is my understanding, the RCMP were unhappy that Crown Counsel refused to try the majority of charges.
Returning to the destruction of evidence. The RCMP’s Wayne Clary and Sgt. Ron Palta explained that what they want to destroy are the artifacts from which DNA evidence was collected. Legally, once court proceedings and decisions are laid down by the judge and the case is closed, etc. evidence must returned to the original owner, which could be the murder(s) or his friends. Ron, called these “contentious items”. The concern is that these items could be sold by and to amoral collectors causing further pain to the victims’ families. I think preventing this from happening is commendable.
I asked. “When was DNA testing last done?” According to my notes, the RCMP officers answered “2008 or 2009 ish.” They did a good job explaining the thoroughness of DNA collection. And that it is the DNA — not the artifact from which it was collected that is the evidence. The issue people have now is that there are now better scientific ways to collect the DNA and the artifacts should be tested again.
Question: When was the case declared closed?
“Summer of 2010 PICKTON’s conviction upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada. No new evidence ever came forward regarding PICKTON in the years after that. Cases where human remains are outstanding which is the vast majority. These cases are open until the individuals are located. … Cases that originated with agencies outside of the RCMP have been returned to those agencies for their appropriate action.” Regarding “no new evidence…” my sources say people are scared to speak up.
I am Indigenous Cree/Metis. Main accomplishments:
1) Mary and her Metis Grandma: a coming-of-age story. Based on true stories, this is a gripping work of auto-fiction / biography and memoir that results in historical accountability.
Filled with wisdom, grit and honesty, this is the journey of a Métis teenager overcoming personal grief, family traumas, witnessing the pain of others, and experiencing the healing power of a Grandma’s love.
Instead of succumbing to self-pity, Mary rises above her presumed narrative with courage and love as her Grandma takes Mary under her wing to guide her into the mature woman she will become.
and
2) Moon Water: a documentary about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Moon Water was distributed primarily to educational institutions throughout N. America.
My childhood was spent in Jasper, Alberta, surrounded by nature. My amazing mother encouraged me to write stories and paint or draw pictures for her; she was my first teacher.
https://ritajasperart.com/
Bluesky @ritajasper.bsky.social
TikTok ritajasper100
Reddit ritajasper100
Mastodon @ritajasper
