I was just informed of the following story, which to me has some personal significance because it was highly pubicized around the same time as the story of my sexual abuse. For once, I have to agree with our Prime Minister, although I suspect his motives are more in line with getting votes not for any concern for victims. He says he thinks it is 'gravely disturbing' in that Pope-ish sort of way, which is to say, the Pope and the church probably find child sexual abuse disturbing in that it may reduce their financial intake. Either way I think it is disturbing and wrong because it is.
Graham James Pardoned for Sex Crimes
Josh Pringle
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
A former junior hockey coach who pleaded guilty to sexual assault has been quietly pardoned by the National Parole Board.
The Canadian Press reports Graham James was pardoned on January 8, 2007 after he was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison in 1997.
James pleaded guilty after two former teenaged players, including ex-NHLer Sheldon Kennedy, came forward with stories of abuse from 1984 to 1995.
Pierre Dion, a full-time member of the Appeal Division of the National Parole Board, issued the pardon.
The Prime Minister’s Office calls the pardon “deeply troubling and gravely disturbing.”
PMO spokesman Dimitri Soudas says “the Prime Minister has asked for explanation on how the National Parole Board can pardon someone who committed such horrific crimes that remain shocking to all Canadians.”
A pardon does not erase a person’s criminal record, but it means the information is kept in a separate file and doesn’t show up on checks of the Canadian Police Information System.
The Canadian Press reports the pardon came to public light as a result of a previously unknown accuser contacting Winnipeg Police. The latest accuser is still deciding whether to follow former NHLer Theoron Fleury in lodging a formal complaint with police.
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