MEDIA RELEASE
Statement of Crown Counsel
The Crown Counsel Office is pleased with the verdict of the jury. This was a
long and difficult prosecution. The guilty verdicts are for offences which
have been deemed by Parliament to be very serious. Mischief Causing Actual
Danger to Life is punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Possession of Weapons for a Purpose Dangerous to the Public Peace is
punishable by a maximum of ten years imprisonment. Mischief to property of
a value in excess of $5000 is punishable by a maximum penalty of 10 years
imprisonment.
One of the accused, Mr. William Jones Ignace (also know as Wolverine), was
found guilty of Mischief Causing Actual Danger to Life, Possession of Weapons
for a Purpose Dangerous to the Public Peace, Discharging a Firearm with the
Intent to Prevent Arrest, and Using a Firearm in the Commission of an
Indictable Offence. Mr. Ignace was the apparent leader of the armed stand-off.
The offences of which he has been found guilty are, as previously stated, very
serious offences and the circumstances of their commission are regarded by the
Crown to be extremely aggravated.
Three of the accused were acquitted. One of the accused, Joseph Ignace,
suffers from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome to the extent that his intellectual
abilities are believed to be equal that of a six year old. In these
circumstances, it is not surprising that the jury had reasonable doubt with
respect to his guilt. The other two accused, Francis Dick and Stuart Dick,
faced the least serious charges and were in the encampment for a relatively
brief period.
The Crown is grateful to the jury for its dedication to this case. It was
apparent upon delivery of the verdict that it was a very emotional matter for,
at least, some jurors.
The Crown regards the findings of guilt against the accused as confirmation of
the participation of each of the accused in the Gustafsen Lake stand-off. The
Crown will be seeking sentences of imprisonment for each of the accused.
Lance W. Bernard
Deputy-Regional Crown Counsel
Region II
May 20, 1997
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