Saint John police chief orders review of 1983 investigation that resulted in wrongful convictions
The Saint John Police Force’s chief has ordered an independent review of the department’s decades-old investigation that resulted in two men serving prison sentences on wrongful convictions. Last month, federal Justice Minister Arif Virani ordered a new trial[1] for Robert Mailman and Walter Gillespie, who were convicted of second-degree murder in 1984 for the killing of George Leeman in Saint John, N.B. Both men served multi-year prison sentences.
Last week, a judge acquitted both men. In a written statement, Chief Robert Bruce said he is “concerned about the outcome,” particularly in respect to the police force’s role in the original investigation. “I will conduct a comprehensive review of the involvement of the Saint John Police in this matter,” Bruce said. “In this regard, I have sent a letter to the Minister of Justice requesting their cooperation in providing a complete copy of their report regarding this occurrence.”
Bruce said he also commissioned Allen Farrah, a retired senior RCMP officer, to conduct an independent review of the investigation.
With files from The Canadian Press
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.[2]
References
- ^ ordered a new trial (atlantic.ctvnews.ca)
- ^ dedicated provincial page. (atlantic.ctvnews.ca)