Quesnel Cariboo Observer, June 07, 2013

Page 1

SPRING songs PAGE A3

highways of past PAGE A11

BUSHWACK 2013 PAGE A16

OBSERVER QUESNEL - CARIBOO

SINCE 1908

Friday, June 7, 2013

VOL. 99 NO. 80

www.quesnelobserver.com

1

$ 30

PM 40005365

includes GST

Camp Day Staff at Tim Hortons congratulate Johnny Hance (front left), Aura Osborne (front middle) and Ian Alec (front right) on being selected to attend the Tim Hortons Kids Camp in July. Missing from photo is Latesha Boyd. Karen Powell photo

Topham applies for Rowbotham AUTUMN MacDONALD Observer Reporter After the death of his lawyer, Arthur Topham, charged with hate crimes, has applied for a Rowbotham. The term is used in the judicial reprocess when one cannot afford a lawyer, yet their case is serious enough that if convicted the accused could serve jail time. “Doug was likely the most competent counsel one could have in cases such as these and to try to find a replacement for him has proven to be a tremendous challenge,” Topham said. “Besides that Doug (Christie) was a very kind and considerate in terms of his fees and even at that I owe his office.”

CHIROPRACTIC HELP

Topham said he was initially denied legal aid as it was determined he made too much per month. “It appears a person has to be living on the street without a penny to their name in order to qualify for legal aid these days,” Topham said. Topham added the Rowbotham application was stalled out earlier in May. He now awaits his next court appearance, July 9. Topham’s property was searched and some seized in May of 2012, after it was determined there were “reasonable grounds the offence of promotion of hatred was committed.” Crown officially moved forward on the charge about five months after the search and seizure of property.

Dr. Michael Duperron QUESNEL CHIROPRACTIC &

Sarah Honey REGISTERED MASSAGE THERAPIST

274 Reid Street 250-992-5110

Topham, who adamantly denies the charge, said back in Novemeber of 2012, he’s hopeful having his day in court will raise awareness surrounding free speech and the definition of “hate crimes.” “This is not to say that I have full confidence in Canada’s judicial system but it will hopefully give me an opportunity to present the facts and the truth before a judge and jury of my peers; something that would never have happened if the case had been decided by a tribunal,” he said. Topham’s next court appearance is July 9 in Quesnel provincial court. If convicted he could spend a maximum of two years in prison.

Weed bust nets 700 plants RCMP busted a substantial weed grow-op along the Barkerville Highway. May 31 the Quesnel RCMP Drug Section executed a search warrant at a residence in the 2000 block of the Barkerville Highway. A 700 plant marihuana grow operation was located inside the house and shop. Two males, 49 and 56 years old respectively, both residents of communities in the lower mainland, were arrested. One male has been released on a promise to appear. The other male was held on an outstanding warrant from the lower mainland. Charges will be recommended against both males for production of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, and theft of electricity. The RCMP is dedicated to the era-

Good day, Quesnel. Thanks for reading — and that includes loyal subscriber K VROLYK! To join the Observer family, please call 250-992-2121 and ask for circulation.

dification of controlled substances. It is a task that requires co-ordinated efforts of both police and community. Information received from the community is a large part of the investigation. RCMP ask for the public’s assistance in tackling the problem of the production and distribution of illicit substances and related offences. If you have any information related to this or any other crime, please call the Quesnel RCMP at 250-992-9211 or Crimestoppers. The Quesnel RCMP has a dedicated drug enforcement unit that works specifically on the eradification of controlled substances within their detachment area. Through various investigative techniques the unit identifies and investigates files related to the production and distribution of these illicit substances as well as related offences.

Call For Details 4986 Ten Mile Lake Road MLS#N225873 - $194,500

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Quesnel Realty

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

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BOB GRANHOLM 250-983-3372


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