Case against Winnipeg cops thrown out of court

Two Winnipeg police officers on trial for perjury can breathe a sigh of relief, for now.

A judge has thrown out the case against Constables’ Peter O’Kane and Jess Zebrun in the middle of their jury trial. Their lawyers argued the Crown made a mistake by not having witnesses identify the officers in court.

“Day one of Crown Attorney school, prove identity.” said Zebrun’s lawyer Hymie Weinstein

The two were accused of illegally entering an alleged drug dealer’s room at the Fairmont Hotel in 2005 before getting a search warrant, and then lying about it on the stand at the suspect’s preliminary hearing in 2006.

But the officers may not be off the hook, the case’s special prosecutor says this is simply a technicality. He is vowing to appeal for a new trial before the week is over saying notebooks and phone records of the officers should have been enough to establish identification.

“The paint’s not dry on this wall.” said Robert Tapper

The Winnipeg Police Service says the two constables remain on administrative duties pending the outcome of the appeal process.