VANCOUVER • It was April 2000, the height of Robert “Willie” Pickton’s killing spree. Dozens of women were already missing, and 23 more would vanish. The Port Coquitlam pig farmer was trolling for skid row prostitutes, driving them to his farm, murdering them, disposing of their bodies and going back for more. He would continue this horrible pattern for at least another year, and right under the noses of police.
Pickton was by then a prime police suspect. Documents disclosed recently at the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry in Vancouver offer stunning details of what police knew — or thought they knew — and what some officers didn’t seem to want to know.
Major crimes investigators were already aware, for example, that Pickton had a predilection for prostitutes. They knew of his episodic, sadistic violence. They had sources who claimed he was murdering women and chopping them to pieces. And yet investigations launched by both RCMP and the Vancouver Police Department seemed low priorities, the inquiry has heard. Little effort was made to co-ordinate efforts. Promising leads were discounted or dismissed altogether.
Perhaps most telling, on April 25, 2000, RCMP officers were already discussing the possibility that bungled police efforts would lead to a public inquiry.
On that date, a staff sergeant named Brad Zalys had a conversation with a superior officer, RCMP Inspector Earl Moulton. Staff Sgt. Zalys made the following observation in his notebook: “Also discussed Pickton again–>if he turns out to be responsible–>inquiry!–>Deal with that if the time comes!”
3 comments:
The mandatory minimums that you so much despise could have saved dozens of lives in this case alone.
He was released on bail after attempted murder! Had he been jailed for say a minimum five years many of the victims would be alive.
Their lives were not saved by a gun registry but the mandatory minimums probably would have. Yet, some of the complaints come from the cost.
So, lets throw some lefty rhetoric back at you. If it saves a life then it is worth it.
In addition, the activist judges and police need to decide that motorcycle gangs are organized crime and drugs result in violence and death.
Thanks for the comments. As for mandatory minimums the reason Pickton was out was because the Crown didn't prosecute. On conviction he would certainly have gotten Pen time. As for the other point, I admit to wondering if Pickton didn't have biker/gang help.
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