NRI, former attorney general Wally Oppal named commissioner to head Pickton inquiry

Vancouver, Oct. 01, 2010
Santa Singh

Attorney General Michael de Jong, QC, announced Wally Oppal QC will head the commission to consider the police investigations of serial killer Robert Pickton. Pickton eventually was convicted of killing six women, but 21 other charges were stayed. The inquiry also will review the January 1998 decision by the criminal justice branch to stay charges against Pickton for attacking a sex trade worker at his farm in 1997. That will include the case of a feisty sex-trade worker who testified at Pickton’s preliminary inquiry that she stabbed Pickton to get away from his handcuffed and vicious attack. She was slashed herself, but escaped naked.

Crown counsel decided on Jan. 27, 1998, not to charge Pickton in connection with her case. Potential charges would have included attempted murder, assault with a weapon, forcible confinement and aggravated assault.

DNA from 33 women was found on Pickton’s farm. He told an undercover officer planted in his cell that he had murdered 49 women.

Walley Oppal, 70, served as a judge in the County Court of B.C., B.C. Supreme Court and B.C. Court of Appeal. Oppal was attorney general for B.C. from 2005 to 2009. Oppal lost a re-election bid.

Michael de Jong said:

- He was a very human judge and as attorney general he brought those qualities to the task·

- The inquiry will focus on events that occurred prior to Oppal entering politics. It will review the police investigations conducted between Jan. 23, 1997, and Feb. 5, 2002, into women reported missing from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

- I AM not aware of any circumstance that would preclude Mr. Oppal from performing this task in every bit as professional a way as he has performed every other task that he has as a public servantGovernment sparks controversy about his appointment.

Walley Oppal said:

- He doesn't anticipate any conflicts of interest.

- In the criminal justice system, we deal often with people that we know who may be witnesses in front of us. But you have to set that aside. You can't let any personal sentiments enter into whatever findings you may make.

- He won't affect his review. We will make our decision based upon the evidence that we hear, based on the policy considerations, and that's what we'll do.

 

Mr. Oppal begins his work immediately and has until Dec. 31, 2011, to submit his report. He will decide how to conduct the inquiry, including which witnesses are summoned and how they will provide evidence.