EDMONTON – Alberta’s criminal defence lawyers say Edmonton Police Chief Warren Driechel is threatening a judge through his comments this week surrounding a high-profile manslaughter case.
Shawn King, president of the Edmonton Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association, also says the police comments amount to extortion and vigilantism and threaten to undermine the integrity of the justice system.
-
![]()
Edmonton Airbnb hit by $35K theft -
![]()
Carney promises to table legislation that will ‘penalize’ possession of child abuse materials -
![]()
‘What is the hold up?’: Conservatives push for bill to reduce intimate partner violence -
![]()
Poilievre suggests Christians may be ‘No. 1’ victims of hate crimes after church attacks -
![]()
Search expands for missing 6-year-old Alberta boy -
![]()
Search for missing 5-year-old Alberta boy enters 3rd day -
![]()
Police warn about release of Randall Hopley -
![]()
Convicted sex offender Randall Hopley released from custody in Vancouver -
![]()
Calgary police officers cleared of wrongdoing in fatal shooting -
![]()
Liberal government details $370M aid for canola sector amid China tariffs
King made the remarks in a statement after Driechel, in an interview Wednesday, said publicly releasing details of the case remains an option for police.
Get daily National news
A charged with second-degree murder pleaded guilty last month to manslaughter in the killing of an eight-year-old girl, whose body was found in a hockey bag in the back of a truck in 2023.
The woman has yet to be sentenced, but a manslaughter conviction usually carries a lower sentence than murder.
Driechel, in a letter sent out under his name earlier this month, said a light sentence would be a travesty of justice and could prompt police to release details of the killing so the public can decide if justice has been served.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2, 2025.
Comments