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OBSERVER QUESNEL - CARIBOO
SINCE 1908
Friday, November 22, 2013
VOL. 100 NO. 24
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QRP all lit up Reminiscent of a Christmas display, Quesnel River Pulp’s nighttime illumination can be appreciated from many vantage points.
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Topham denied Rowbotham application AUTUMN MacDONALD Observer Reporter Arthur Topham’s Rowbotham application has been denied. Monday, a provincial court judge ruled Topham did not meet the requirements for approval. A Rowbotham application is used in the ju-
dicial process when one cannot afford a lawyer, yet their case is serious enough that if convicted the accused could serve jail time. Topham initially applied for the Rowbotham in May after the death of his lawyer Doug Christie. “I presented arguments for my financial situation and the complexity of the
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case,” Topham said. “The attorney representing the attorney general’s office argued against and I was deemed ineligible.” Topham, charged with hate crimes, had his property 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. 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 defini-
tion 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.
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Topham’s next court appearance is in January when the preliminary hearing will take place. “I will represent myself,” he said. “I will try to argue the case should be dismissed but that’s about a one in a million [chance.]” If convicted Topham could spend a maximum of two years in prison.
Deb Quick, Travel Consultant 250-992-5169 in Quesnel
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