Government to await Commissioner Lamer�s report
before proceeding with compensation phase of inquiry

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Tom Marshall today announced that government will await Commissioner Lamer�s report on the administration of justice before proceeding with the compensation phase of the Lamer Inquiry. There will be a period of not more than six months following receipt of Commissioner Lamer�s report during which government will review the commissioner�s findings.

"Commissioner Lamer�s report will be focused on the administration of justice and provide insight and information to help strengthen our criminal justice system in the province. At the same time, Commissioner Lamer has expressed concern over his ability to recommend compensation without some direction from government on factual innocence. In the case of Mr. Druken, we would like to have the benefit of Commissioner Lamer�s report before deciding how to proceed," stated Minister Marshall.

With respect to Ronald Dalton, Minister Marshall stated, "Government will await Commissioner Lamer�s findings of why Mr. Dalton spent eight years in prison awaiting an appeal. This report will provide an answer to what role, if any, government played in this delay, and provide insight to the possibility of compensation for Mr. Dalton. In addition, having given the matter careful consideration, we are satisfied, as was the previous administration, that the circumstances of Mr. Dalton's arrest and prosecution do not call for a public inquiry. As such, there will be no change in the original terms of reference."

"Commissioner Lamer has expressed concerns regarding the circumstances under which Gregory Parsons accepted compensation. Government will assess Commissioner Lamer�s report before deciding whether or not further compensation should be provided to Mr. Parsons," added Minister Marshall.

The Lamer Inquiry, announced in March 2003, is a public inquiry into alleged miscarriages of justice in the cases of Gregory Parsons, Randy Druken and Ronald Dalton. Specifically, the inquiry has a mandate to review the investigations and circumstances surrounding the resulting criminal proceedings commenced against Gregory Parsons and Randy Druken. The inquiry was also asked to review why Ronald Dalton's appeal of his murder conviction, took eight years before his appeal was heard by the Court of Appeal. The inquiry is scheduled to conclude in June 2005. The report is expected on or before December 31, 2005.

"We look forward to the final submission by Commissioner Lamer, and have the utmost confidence that the recommendations will improve the administration of justice in the province," added Minister Marshall.

Media contact: Heather MacLean, Communications, (709) 729-6985, 690-2498

2005 05 05                                         3:30 p.m.