News and Commentary

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Suspects show 'total disregard' for bail conditions: Toronto police chief

Suspects show 'total disregard' for bail conditions: Toronto police chief

[...]
Sheldon Gladstone Evans, 22, was arrested Wednesday afternoon and charged with violating his terms of bail. Police allege that Evans was present during the weekend shooting of 11-year-old Ephraim Brown at an outdoor gathering in the Jane and Sheppard area.

Police said Evans has two bail orders placing him under house arrest. They also allege that Evans is a member of the 5 Point Generals (5PG) gang.

"One of the things that was demonstrated yesterday by that arrest is the total disregard that these gang members have for bail conditions," said Blair.

Blair said the police force has taken on responsibility for monitoring bail orders, because no other agency was doing so. He said they attempt to do compliance checks, but it's not enough.
[...]


Three for three. All three of the suspects arrested thus far should not have been loose on the streets. While you may argue that Michael Bryant can't rule the courts, two of the alleged participants were in violation of their bail, or pending serious charges on criminal offenses. Kwinter and Bryant both have a say, a big say, in the management of accused individuals, and the portfolios under their direct purview dropped the ball, as has been the case, time and time again. The death of Ephraim Brown rests on the shoulders of the Attorney General and the Minister of Public Safety. Both failed the Brown family, the City of Toronto, and with their reckless allegations against law-abiding firearms owners nationwide, haved failed the people of Canada.

Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant and Public Safety Minister Monte Kwinter must follow the lead of Mike Colle and do the only honourable thing: resign, immediately.