Yesterday at a news conference, David Milgaard announced he has no interest in testifying at the MilgaardInquiry, suggesting he'd have to be subpeoned to appear.
Say what? For years the Milgaard "family" has demanded this inquiry, in addition to the $10 million he was paid by the province for his wrongful conviction case. From the Star Phoenix, Sept.2003;
"It's been years since they promised an inquiry and how much longer is it going to wait? And why? Are they waiting until everyone that was implicated in it has passed on? They just don't want to deal with it," Milgaard said. "I think it's really important to have the public inquiry, the sooner the better. We'd like to get on with our lives. I'm sure the Miller family would like to get on with theirs and get this whole inquiry business over and done with.[...]
Milgaard is concerned that the inquiry, when it is called, have "the broadest possible mandate" so as not to exclude any of the relevant information.
Justice Edward McCallum was angered by reports Milgaard does not plan to attend the hearings or testify and has given him two weeks to change his mind.On Monday, Milgaard, who spent 23 years behind bars for the 1969 murder of Gail Miller, was in Saskatoon talking to the media. He urged governments to compensate other people who have been wrongfully convicted.
He told reporters talking about his wrongful murder conviction makes him "physically sick," and he wants to leave it in his past.
But those comments didn't go over very well with McCallum.
"With astonishing hubris, Mr. Milgaard arranged to use this very hearing room paid for at public expense to publicly undermine the work of the inquiry – an inquiry he himself demanded,"
McMcCallum said.McCallum is promising swift action if Milgaard does not testify voluntarily. He said Milgaard has two weeks to arrange to appear at the inquiry or he will lose his legal standing – including public funding for his lawyer."To threaten the commission with the stigma of public disapproval should it have the temerity to subpoena him...is unacceptable," McCallum said.
There. I said it.
Posted by Kate at October 25, 2005 7:01 PMTrackBack URL for this entry:
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Were it not for Joyce Milgaard, her son would still be in jail! They should toss those people in jail who put him there- see how they like it.
Posted by: dave at October 25, 2005 7:56 PMDave - it's the same mother who turned him over to Social Services when he was a teenager because of his uncontrollable behavior.
Posted by: Kate at October 25, 2005 8:03 PMJoyce Milgaard is the only reason this inquiry is happening. She had to be in the media spotlight in order for this to come to fruition. I think it is disingenuous of you to call her a media whore--the same thing could be said about you Kate--this is your website isn't it?
Posted by: stubblejumper at October 25, 2005 8:29 PMYou might return to the post and read the content.
Posted by: Kate at October 25, 2005 8:34 PMWhat's your point?
Posted by: stubblejumper at October 25, 2005 8:44 PMMy point is this: The taxpayers of the province are on the hook for an 8 million dollar inquiry called because Milgaard and his mother screamed for one - despite the fact that they're doing little more than rehashing decades old information, reinterviewing lying witnesses and obsolete police procedure that is already in the public record.
And the SOB can't be bothered to show up?
Then close it down and tell him to - as he is demanding - get on with his life in private.
Posted by: Kate at October 25, 2005 9:00 PMThat's got nothing to do with what my post is all about. I simply pointed out that she was actively seeking media attention. You called her a media whore and I was simply pointing out that you are in a similar position. I said nothing of your inquiry rant.
Posted by: stubblejumper at October 25, 2005 9:13 PMSure the taxpayers are stuck with this multi-million dollar enquiry because the Milgards insisted we have and in effect pressured the gov't to call one. Now the spoiled little brat has the temerity to start kicking out of his traces and the whole scenario gives us a great clue as to why Milgard got himself into this jackpot to start with - with that attitude he has been a problem for a long time. With 10 million dollars in his back pocket I am wondering what we are doing footing his lawyer bill.
Posted by: Peter Benyk at October 25, 2005 9:18 PMOverheard in a Saskatchewan newsroom today:
"Geez, I think that press conference yesterday was the first time I ever heard Milgaard string together words to make a sentence. Even a decade ago, he was always just sort of mumbling random words."
Yessiree, Mama Milgaard has always been the mover and the shaker in this case. Funny that she's not really talking about this new development.
That's a very good observation Peter--the attitude of Milgaard--if he does lose funding I don't suppose it'll bother him much but I think you hit the proverbial nail on the head when speaking to his shit attitude.
Posted by: stubblejumper at October 25, 2005 9:23 PMMilgaard was jailed for all of his adult years probably because he was an uncontrollable,native teenager whose mother may have made mistakes but more than made up in demanding her sons' innocence and she's was right. that's a good mom in my books
Posted by: kelly at October 25, 2005 9:51 PMI agree Kate, close the thing down and whatever the cost has been so far, deduct that from his ten million.
Posted by: Bruce Randall at October 25, 2005 9:58 PMThe night that Gail Miller was murdered, Milgaard and Co. were driving around Saskatoon "looking for somebody to rob" - just to put to rest the image of the "harmless teenage hippie".
His juvie record also included a history of arson. How serious I don't know.
Just some tidbits from the hours upon hours of news coverage there has been about the Miller-Fischer-Milgaard fiasco over the past 20 years.
Posted by: Kate at October 25, 2005 10:18 PMHow much do you wanna bet that Milgaard would rather just forget the whole deal, but some lawyer informed the family that this would be worthwhile....
Posted by: DazzlinDino at October 25, 2005 10:40 PMMilgaard and Co didn't kill anyone and I have no visions of justice. let sleeping dogs lie and let justice seem to be done.
Posted by: kelly at October 25, 2005 10:53 PMSo what is the penalty for failing to appear before a hearing? Jail time I hope.
Posted by: wade at October 26, 2005 12:22 AMTime to pull the pin on this whole waste of $$$. This was 1969..dirty cops..yadayada..What good comes of this now except for padding Lawyers pockets with my tax dough. If David wants to forget it so be it!!!
Posted by: Paul T. at October 26, 2005 1:28 AMDavid says there are two others who should be given their freedom. How much validity is there in that?
If those two are found to be totally guilty of their supposed crimes, how will that reflect on the concept of Milgard's purity? TG
Posted by: TonyGuitar at October 26, 2005 4:24 AMGreat !
That's good news .
Nothing of any substance was going to be discovered by the legal dog and pony show 30 after the fact.
Nothing.
Lawyers,judges, stenographers, assistants, legal clerks , friends of liberals sucking millions from the overflowing trough.
You can't close this thing down fast enough.
Burn the files, fire everyone,and open the court room up to prosecute CRIMINALS.
Bu bye.
Next case please.
Milgaard made the deal with the provincial gov'---this included the 10 million and the promise of the inquiry. Does anyone know the deal--I mean can the commission take the money back if Milgaard broke the deal? Just wonderin'.
Posted by: stubblejumper at October 27, 2005 7:37 PM