Jian Ghomeshi Fired from Q

msj · May 4, 2016

Sure, and I'm not really defending him. I'm just having a hard time calling him a criminal. Men are in to weird stuff.

I agree. I would not have convicted him either despite thinking he is an utter creep who I would not want anywhere near any women I know (or I don't know for that matter).

But opinion and conviction are two different things.

Big Guy · May 5, 2016

I have just watched a documentary about charges of sexual assault against members of the Duke University lacrosse team that took place 10 years ago. This was a case of "she said", he said and he said and he said and the state decided that the "she said" should take preference:

Fantastic Lies

It is tragic in what happens when people get outraged before the truth comes out. I had forgotten about the incident and really had not known how it ended. This video shows what happened from an objective perspective. If you have an hour and a half, you may find this enlightening.

Bryan · May 10, 2016

Yikes!

Jian Ghomeshi won’t face second assault trial, case to be resolved by peace bond: sources

http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/jian-ghomeshi-wont-face-second-assault-trial-case-to-be-resolved-by-peace-bond-sources

cybercoma · May 10, 2016

That's not good news for Jian.

msj · May 10, 2016

That's not good news for Jian.

It isn't?

Because he prefers to get off the hard way?

cybercoma · May 10, 2016

It isn't?

Because he prefers to get off the hard way?

It doesn't exactly speak to someone's "innocence" when a judge orders a restraining order.

overthere · May 10, 2016

It doesn't exactly speak to someone's "innocence" when a judge orders a restraining order.

'Innocence' is not part of any legal language in Canada.

There is only guilty or not guilty, and Ghomeshi didn't get close to either in this case, since charges will be dropped entirely. If the Crown finally had some actual evidence, they would have proceeded. Ghonmeshi admits nothing with signing of a peace bond. It is a 'peace bond', and likely it will apply to the former complainant too. She'll have to stay away from him too, which seems to be a major problem with Ghomeshis accusers.

Now Ghomeshi will get back to work on getting some money refunded on this, he'll have to prove malicious intent of the prosecution in pursuing charges all the way to a verdict. The Crown case is weakened because they did not drop the whole dogs breakfast after the first and second fiascos in Trial 1. Carrying it all the way to a foregone conclusion might cost them at least his very hefty legal bills. It looks spiteful at best.

My guess is that a few months there will be a quiet annnouncement that a settlement has been reached.

Smallc · May 10, 2016

It doesn't exactly speak to someone's "innocence" when a judge orders a restraining order.

A peace bond (not a restraining order) doesn't really speak to guilt, either.

Smallc · May 10, 2016

I actually have a bit of experience with this. My fiancee was assaulted by her ex boyfriend when they broke up a little more than 3 years ago. When it came time for the trial 9 months later, the crown told her they had no evidence to proceed to trial and have any hope of a conviction. Instead they both agreed to a peace bond to expire 1 year after the incident.

msj · May 10, 2016

So you're saying he's not innocent.

I think most of us thought/think that of him regardless of whatever the outcomes were.

Smallc · May 10, 2016

So you're saying he's not innocent.

He may or may not be. There was an allegation made with reasonable suspicion that it could happen again (mostly based on the allegation made). There isn't any evidence that would convict him, so this is the best they can do. It's a 'win' for everyone.

Big Guy · May 10, 2016

I have often wondered about our justice system. I have come to the conclusion that eventually, truth wins out and appropriate punishment is received. It may just take time.

O.J. Simpson was accused in a very publicized trial of slitting the throats of his former wife and her friend. He was found "not guilty" and set free.

It was generally accepted by the legal community that if he pleaded guilty to either murder or manslaughter based on lack of planning and steroid induced rage that he would have been convicted and sentenced to about 10 years (in that range). That would mean that he would be released in about 3 to 4 years, a repentant now off drugs and perhaps a spokesman for steroid abuse.

Instead, he was found not guilty. He quickly became a pariah, starting on a downward spiral that ended with him now with a substantial jail term based on his associations with thugs and organized crime - an association related to his unpopularity. His children both have major drug problems. Most people have forgotten that he was one of the best running backs in College and NFL history.

I believe that when someone "gets away" with doing something for which they deserve punishment, then they do not escape "justice". Time has a way of punishing the guilty.

cybercoma · May 10, 2016

A peace bond (not a restraining order) doesn't really speak to guilt, either.

A peace bond is a restraining order in Canada.

Smallc · May 10, 2016

A peace bond is a restraining order in Canada.

I thought a restraining order was what we call a protection order?

http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/fvpp_toolkit/pubs/protection_peace_bonds_en.pdf

cybercoma · May 10, 2016

I thought a restraining order was what we call a protection order?http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/fvpp_toolkit/pubs/protection_peace_bonds_en.pdf

Manitoba has special family courts for intimate partner violence. That's where your protection orders come from. A peace order is pretty much the same thing, but not particular to domestic violence.

Smallc · May 10, 2016

Manitoba has special family courts for intimate partner violence. That's where your protection orders come from. A peace order is pretty much the same thing, but not particular to domestic violence.

Thanks - didn't realize.

Anyway, it seems there was a suspicion that he did what he's accused of doing, but no evidence to convict. I know you don't agree, but given that, I think this is the best outcome.

cybercoma · May 10, 2016

I don't know what the best outcome would be. I haven't seen the evidence. I'm just saying that judges don't issue peace bonds for no reason.

overthere · May 10, 2016

So you're saying he's not innocent.

I think most of us thought/think that of him regardless of whatever the outcomes were.

The Crown is saying he has not committed a crime.

Smallc · May 10, 2016

I don't know what the best outcome would be. I haven't seen the evidence. I'm just saying that judges don't issue peace bonds for no reason.

If both parties agree to it, it's pretty simple to get it done. If prosecutors have enough evidence to go to trial, they don't ask for peace bonds.

Hal 9000 · May 10, 2016

There was no way prosecutors were going to embarrass themselves or waste more taxpayer money on this. It was far fetched to believe there would be another trial.

This is the equivalent of a behaviour contract.

The_Squid · May 10, 2016

What's a "behaviour contract"?

Smallc · May 11, 2016

The Peace Bond is a move to save face. Nothing more, nothing less.

Big Guy · May 11, 2016

So Jian has no more legal problems and should be considered "not guilty". I accept that fact.

But if my granddaughter decided to go on a date with him, then I would go along and "render him peaceful" if he touched her.

Bryan · May 11, 2016

The Peace Bond is a move to save face. Nothing more, nothing less.

Yup:

"Look, if we drop the charges, will you at least agree not to contact her?"

"I guess so"

"Case dismissed!"

Boges · May 11, 2016

So no second trial. Seems many in this thread were anxiously looking forward to the second trial so he'd finally see justice. Guess that won't happen.