Zeal For Truth

Robert Pickton was a pig farmer in British Columbia who [allegedly] murdered 26 women between 1997 and 2001 and buried them on his property. In the name of expediency, the prosecutor decided to move ahead after the first six cases were ready, promising that a second trial would cover the remaining 20 murder allegations. Last year, after an 11 month trial, he was convicted of those six murders (in the second degree). Now, B.C.’s Victim Services is telling victim’s families that a second trial will likely not occur.

Canada does not execute criminals. Pickton received the maximum sentence of life imprisonment with no parole eligibility for 25 years. In 2032 Pickton can apply for parole. At that time he would have to prove to a parole board that he is rehabilitated and is no longer a danger to others. The chances of his being released are, in the words of his own defense attorney, “extremely slim”.

Friends and family of the remaining 20 alleged victims are outraged by the news that a second trial will not likely proceed. Their pain and desire for their day in court is understandable. But the question has to be asked: what would be accomplished by a second trial? Pickton already received the maximum sentence possible. The first trial took 11 months, so it is conceivable that the second trial could take 3 years. It has been estimated that a second trial could cost $100 million.

The Justice System is not infinite and it is not a make-work program. Are we willing to invest 3 years and $100 million for no gain? While it is understandable that these alleged victim’s families want “their turn” at justice, one has to ask whether this desire is in fact a detriment to the Justice System and, therefore, to justice in general.