More arrests possible in terror probe

Associated Press via Sun Media ^ | 2006-06-05 | Beth Duff-Brown

[Lion in Winter]

Great post BOKABABE!! I still find it amusing that hoplite posts at an islamic site as well as FR.

But then we always knew WHAT side he was in bed with... the BOSNIAN islamic side!!

[Lion in Winter]

I say HANG "EM HIGH!! The lot of them... and send ALL their families to a SOMALIA!!

[Clive]

"Seen any reliable reports of this canard yet?"

No. And we are not likely to see any before at least the preliminary hearing.

The Crown will keep the facts close to the vest until it has to be disclosed to the defense. Some of it will come out at the preliminary hearing and we may see it then unless the court puts a gag order on.

The courts are adverse to seeing the cases tried in the media. Where there is a conflict between the public's right to know and the right of the accused to a fair trial, the courts tend to lean in favour of the right to a fair trial so public disclosure is often postponed until the jury has heard it first,

Especially in cases attracting huge public attention. (Example, the Bernardo/Homolka serial murders.)

BTW, criminal cases in Canada no longer go to the Grand Jury. Instead, there is a preliminary hearing before a provincial court judge (i.e magistrate level) in which the Crown has to show that there is an arguable case to take to a jury. The defense has the right to cross-examine witnesses at prelim and may, but need not, present evidence at that stage.