Tamas Virag, Grande Prairie, Alberta (Canadian Press) – A Grande Prairie Mountie has been given a conditional discharge after pleading guilty to assaulting his wife and possessing a weapon dangerous to the public peace.
Provincial court was told yesterday that Const. Richard James Davis was charged in early 2007 after his “traumatized” wife complained to police her husband had been physically and mentally abusing her since the summer of 2006.
Outside court, Crown prosecutor Murray McPherson explained that in the middle of one session of abuse, Davis pulled out his RCMP-issued handgun and pointed it at himself.
Davis had originally also been charged with criminal harassment and uttering threats, but those charges were dropped yesterday.
Court was told Davis has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has gone to great lengths to deal with the illness.
McPherson said Davis put his wife through “serious abuse,” but added that sending him to prison or giving him house arrest “would not do justice.”
McPherson repeatedly praised the efforts of the RCMP, calling their investigation into the matter “proper and thorough” and adding that Davis was asked to turn in his firearm when he was arrested.
Judge Jim Watson was told that both McPherson and defence lawyer Rod Gregory were recommending the conditional discharge, which will let the officer walk away with no criminal record if he abides by the conditions of probation for 15 months.
Watson said the fact Davis assaulted a spouse is an aggravating factor, but said his lack of criminal record and “early recognition of the problem” worked in his favour.
Davis must receive counselling and will be banned from consuming alcohol for the length of the probation. He also is not allowed to possess firearms for the next five years, unless given written permission by the RCMP.
The couple has five children between the ages of five and 19. Davis, who joined the RCMP in 2001, has been on paid leave.
I agree with you Gus fully, I wish the people had a louder voice in the laws of the nation. However, the common liberal excuse for this is the protection against the tyranny of the Majority and the preservation of minority interests.
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A panel of common folks, would probably scare the tar out of the judges as they would finally have to be accountable to someone. But you know what else would be a “crazy” idea, what about elected Judges… wow, that almost sounds like something a democratic country would try and do, that would probably be undemocratic **sarcasm**
Judges have a great deal more power then parliament anyway, and routinely strike down laws that our elected officials enact. Whats the point in electing government if a self serving self appointed (by other lawyers) group that does not represent the people wishes, but rather dictates to the people what there wishes should be.
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A good observation gus, people should research, but the shoot from the lip style is alive and well.
On another note, I wonder how the judicial system would like a panel of common folks overseeing their realm?
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Well, I would argue that it was for taste, and rather that I mentioned the same name that you just did. I would hardly look at it as a personal attack, just a request for persons to take a thorough examination at the issues before posting.
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Gus old boy, you have been edited for taste! Gendai, the system, however quirky, is at least consistent in its namby pamby treatment of offenders. Nobody gets the due. A quick read of the papers will show the vast iniquities of it.
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[Edited to remove personal attacks - Ed] [...snip...] This is not about a police officer getting off easy, this is about a Justice system that fails to deal with criminals in the way that it should. Everyone gets off easy! not just the police, EVERYONE! The Judges in our country have been promoting this type of sentencing for too long and it is out of control. The judges are far to worried about the handing out of too harsh a sentence to the offender and not worried about the effects to the victims.
Your right that a public inquiry may be needed, but it is in relation to the appointment of and oversight of the entire justice system especially the judiciary and not limited to the police.
This story has nothing to do with favoritism, and everything to do with the incompetence of the system. [...snip...] , you need to spend some time in a court room some day and see for your self the ridiculous sentences that are handed out for serious crimes. Conditional sentences, conditions discharges, meaningless probation orders and petty fines are the order of the day in Canadian Criminal Courts. Makes you think that the system that overlooks Judges in this country is failing… oh wait there is no such system! Where is the “Commission for Public complaints against Canadian Judges”? It doesn’t exist! Lawyers appoint Lawyers to become judges who appoint more lawyers, the system is flawed from the start.
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Wonderful!… Conditional Discharge IF he keeps the peace, doesn`t drink and behaves – what about the wife who`s scared stiff and the message to other wives that are being abused by those bullies, what about the, where’s the justice for those wives that have to live with them?
Is this like playing favoritism here on one hand police officers get off scott free and the public well that’s another story isn’t it. No wonder the people are fed up with this justice system and where’s the Justice Minister’s actions in this when about a year ago they told us the RCMP were under control with the new Commissioner.
This stinks to high water and the call for a Public Inquiry must be called to see that the people are no longer in danger by these officers who have been protected instead of dealth with.
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Lovely, beat the wife, use a firearm recklessly and get a %$^#@ holiday with full pay. Why is it everytime they commit a crime they get leave with pay?
Yep should a been a cop….but I have a conscience.
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