EDMONTON — Nancy L. Irving will lead a comprehensive review of Alberta’s bail system which was ordered after the murder of a St. Albert Mountie.
Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley ordered the review following a report by the solicitor general into the involvement of Alberta Crown Prosecution Service with Shawn Rehn.
READ MORE: Alberta to review its bail system after Mountie murdered by repeat offender
Rehn shot two RCMP officers at a St. Albert casino in January. One of those officers, Const. David Wynn, was killed. Aux. Const. Derek Bond was injured. Rehn was later found dead inside a home.
RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson said 34-year-old Rehn had a lengthy, “incredibly complex criminal history” and was “very, very well known to police.”
“Overlapping firearms prohibitions and just a series of conditions that aren’t making sense to me as I review it, and I’ve been policing for 30 years,” Paulson said in January.
Rehn had a lengthy history of criminal and violent behaviour, but was free after a bail hearing where a police officer – and not a Crown prosecutor – was present.
The case raised the question of whether Crown prosecutors, with more courtroom experience, should attend all bail hearings.
READ MORE: Why was St. Albert RCMP shooting suspect Shawn Rehn a free man?
The bail system review will look at if and how the province’s bail process should be changed.
“I’m pleased Ms. Irving has agreed to conduct this review,” said Ganley. “She brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge about the justice system. My hope is this review will help us ensure the bail process strikes the right balance between protecting people’s rights and making communities and police officers safe.”
Irving is a former general counsel for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada and has also been a legal advisor to the RCMP.
Irving’s recommendations are expected to be given to Ganley in February 2016.
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