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Transcript of Justice James Williams's clarification
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The Canadian Press
Date: Thursday Dec. 6, 2007 7:36 PM ET
A transcript of Justice James Williams's clarification of his instructions to the jury in the Robert Pickton murder case:
"Mr. Foreman, members of the jury:
Earlier today I instructed you through the sheriff that you were to cease your deliberations while I dealt with a matter, and I have now dealt with that matter and I have some further instructions that I wish to give you at this time.
"I have concluded that I was not sufficiently precise, that is I was in error with respect to three paragraphs of your charge.
"I hope you have your booklets with you; do you have your books?
"I am going to direct that you be provided with three sheets each of you. madame clerk, can these please be provided to the sheriff.
"You have been provided with three sheets, the first one is indicated as paragraph 205, the second is paragraph 239 the third is para 262.
"These paragraphs replace the existing 205, 239 and 262 -- that is the paragraph that appears in your hardcopy of the charge should be stroked out and you should consider that these take their places.
"And I will read 205 to you if I may:
"If you find that Mr. Pickton shot Ms. Abotsway or was otherwise an active participant in her killing you should find that the Crown has proven this element.
"On the other hand, if you have a reasonable doubt about whether or not he was an active participant in her killing you must return a verdict of not guilty
"The same paragraph or same contents is found in paragraph 239, in that case count to Ms. Wilson
"For the record I will read it in:
"If you find that Mr. Pickton shot Ms. Wilson or was otherwise and active participant in her killing you should find that the Crown has proven this element.
"On the other hand, if you have a reasonable doubt about whether or not he was an active participant in her killing you must return a verdict of not guilty.
"And finally with respect to paragraph 262, this has reference to count three.
"If you find that Mr. Pickton shot Ms. Joesbury or was otherwise an active participant in her killing you should find that the Crown has proven this element.
"On the other hand, if you have a reasonable doubt about whether or not he was an active participant in her killing you must return a verdict of not guilty.
"That is all that we will deal with at this time.
"I regret that I misinformed you. It was inadvertent. However it is important that you be instructed (as) properly as I'm able and thus these amendments have been provided to you.
"You're free to continue your deliberations.''
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The death penalty will not bring back lost loved ones. The death penalty does not stop, or even reduce violent crime. Bringing it back would simply be a step backwards to satisfy vengeful, immoral, people who think 'eye-for-an-eye' is still a good idea (Oddly often Christians, whose own Jesus Christ denounced the practice). No, the death penalty should not be reinstated. However, if they wanted to increase the maximum sentencing to make those worst people rot in jail longer, I'd have no problem with that. Or reducing the 'comforts' that prisoners enjoy.
