WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW

WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

*** 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.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

*** ANOTHER STEP CLOSER ***

The latest news regarding Leon's case is a only a small step, but nevertheless, a step closer to freedom.

The Innocence Project is waiting for a letter from the Saskatchewan government pertaining to Supreme Court Laws in this province. Once the letter is received, Leon's application will be filed with the Convictions Review Group. We trust the Saskatchewan government will act in a timely fashion and respond as soon as possible.

Retainer money has been sent to a very prominent attorney who has worked on numerous wrongful convictions. It is our hope that he will begin the preliminary work on Leon's bail application and therefore once the 696 application is filed, the bail application will be ready to be heard by the Court.

Finally, after 8 long, miserable years, it looks like the clock is ticking down and Leon will be home soon!!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

*** GOOD NEWS FROM THE INNOCENCE PROJECT!!! ***

Yesterday we had the greatest news in 8 years. The Innocence Project is diligently working on Leon's application to the Federal Minister of Justice and should be presentable within the next 2 months. Following the submission to the Minister of Justice, we have high confidence that a successful bail hearing will follow shortly thereafter.

As Leon and all those with even the slightest amount of common sense once again rejoice with "the truth shall set you free".

Thank you to everyone who has and is helping to bring the truth to light!

Updates when available.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

*** WRONGFUL CONVICTION PRESENTATION AN OBVIOUS SUCCESS ***

PETER WARREN's presentation as well as the presentations given by three family members of wrongfully convicted men was a complete success. Those present, including the media were appalled that convictions in our system could happen this way despite the evidence that clearly shows these men are NOT guilty of the crimes that they are paying for.

It was, for me, a great experience to meet the family members of Michael Tate and Kelvin Purdy and to hear their stories. The parallels in all three cases are uncanny with "missing evidence", "police tunnel vision" and "conviction by the media", just to name three. Yes, the list goes on. But, the biggest thing we all have in common is that we will NEVER give up fighting, we will NEVER be quiet and we will see JUSTICE!!!

Thanks, Peter, for your endless work in organizing this and for the media interviews regarding our cases before and since the presentation.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

*** UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA FACULTY OF LAW PRESENTATION ***

MARCH 27, 2008 at 7:30pm at the University of Victoria faculty of law Room 159 of the Fraser Building, PETER WARREN will be speaking out about the wrongful convictions he has aided with over the years as well as the three cases he is currently working on. Featured will be the cases of Michael Tate, Kelvin Purdy, and Leon Walchuk. Family members from each case will also be speaking. Those include Michael's father, John, Kelvin's stepfather, and Leon's fiancee, Nancy. All public and media are welcome and encouraged. This shall definitely make an impact on these wrongful convictions and bring the deserved public attention to light.

It should also show our "governing" bodies that we, the families of these unjustly convicted men will not "go quietly into the good night" and we will continue to fight for justice. Once and for all our justice system must see that mistakes happen and that they are obligated to correct the errors.

Indefinite Delay

By the looks of things, there will be an indefinite delay with the publishing of Peter Warren's articles. On the upside, Peter was featured last evening on Victoria's CFAX radio program "The Buzz" and he spoke about the three cases he is working on, including Leon's. I'm sure the response will be as positive as the other times he's been on air!

Thursday, December 27, 2007

*** delay ***

Sorry readers.....I was just informed that there has been a delay in printing Peter Warren's articles. Hopefully only a day or two. Keep checking in, I will post updates when I know more.

Sunday, July 29 2007 6PM CST

Radio Program - Mike McIntyre's "Crime and Punishment"

Leon's files as well as the new fire evidence has been sent to the review committee. They received his application June 2, 2006. They have received most of the required documents. Unfortunately, there are documents required that we did not have access to and are hoping that the Review Committee will help us obtain those documents.

Gerald Hurst has completed his written report.

December 5, 2006

Saskatchewan Court of Appeal Justices Gary Lane, William Vancise and Georgina Jackson ruled that the courts no longer have jurisdiction over the releasing of evidence for further testing. The Crown prosecutor, Anthony Gerein, stated that the releasing of evidence should be argued with the Minister of Justice. This decision affects anyone who has been wrongly convicted and wants access to the evidence in order to obtain new evidence. Image if Milgaard wouldn't have been allowed access to the underwear for DNA or James Driskell, the hairs found in his case. These men, just to name two, would still be behind bars! This sets a standard for the Courts and the Minister to play "monkey in the middle" with people's lives. The Minister won't review a case without "new evidence" and now the courts won't give you access to gather the "new evidence".

Sunday, December 3, 2006 1 PM CST

Radio Program - Mike McIntyre's "Crime and Punishment" Sunday, December 3, 2006, 1 PM cst

Leon's case was featured on Mike McIntyre's "Crime and Punishment". Thank you to everyone who made it possible to have Leon's story heard.

Tuesday, June 6 2006 9 PM

CBC Documentary - TAINTED EVIDENCE....FORENSICS ON TRIAL

Aired Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at 9 PM

April 2006 Hearing to request release of exhibits for further analysis. Application was denied. Ruling is being appealed. The appeal was heard Tuesday, December 5, 2006 in Regina, SK. We have also requested Justice Canada to assist in the release of these exhibits for further testing.

Recently, it has come to our attention that a video tape was made of the autopsy. This video was never disclosed to the Defense. Also, missing pages of a police report. These items have been requested from the Crown. To date, there has been no response other than "they will look to see if they exist".

TAINTED EVIDENCE.....FORENSICS ON TRIAL

CBC Documentary that aired Tuesday, June 6, 2006

The program was about people who have been wrongfully convicted or accused by "bad science". Leon's was one of four cases that was featured. The focus of Leon's case is the fire. It is proven that the Crown's expert's opinion is just that - an opinion and that there is no scientific basis for such an opinion. The leading expert that investigated the case after Leon's conviction can say with most certainty that Leon's version of the events that occurred on that tragic night can be proven and that the fire was not intentionally started. It was a powerful segment that showed first hand that the fire was not arson. Below are pictures taken during that experiment shown on the program.

Finally the entire nation has seen the injustice that has been done to Leon. The truth will come out and it will not be easily dismissed by the Canadian public. This is bigger than a small town's idle gossip where people would rather believe the bad about someone, than stop and look at the obvious truth.

With the airing of this show, one can well imagine that Cori's family, friends, and possibly a few others that have only heard one side of the story will once again be crying the blues and wanting sympathy from the public. While it is acknowledged that for them a great loss was suffered, it is still no excuse to manipulate the public for support in order to use these same people for personal gain, all the while plotting vengeance against Leon's family, including his children. Read More - > more.....