Justice
October 26, 2007Ex-Gratia
Payment Provided to Ronald Dalton
The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Justice,
announced today the Provincial Government has provided an ex-gratia
payment to Ronald Dalton in the amount of $750,000.
Following a conviction of murder in the
death of his wife, Mr. Dalton spent eight years in prison awaiting his
appeal. The Court of Appeal ordered a new trial and Mr. Dalton was
eventually acquitted by a jury.
This delay was the subject of an inquiry
by Commissioner Lamer, who concluded that "the criminal justice system
did not 'see' Mr. Dalton for almost eight years and, for that, we are
all responsible."
"It is hoped that this compensation will help bring
closure to this terrible ordeal for Mr. Dalton and his family," said
Minister Osborne.
"No individual should languish such a lengthy period
in prison awaiting an appeal. I am confident that the positive steps
this government has taken in implementing the recommendations of
Commissioner Lamer will ensure this sort of injustice will not occur in
the future."
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Media contact:
Deborah Pennell
Director of Communications
Department of Justice
709-729-6985, 685-6612
deborahpennell@gov.nl.ca
2007 10 26 3:20 p.m.
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