English

(5 February 1998) — On 13 January 1998, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), Saskatchewan Voice of Persons with Disabilities, People First Canada, Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL), the DisAbled Women's Network Canada (DAWN Canada), and People in Equal Participation (PEP) agreed to apply jointly for leave to intervene in the Latimer case. Both the Crown and Latimer have informed the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal that they wish to appeal. CCD, Saskatchewan Voice and PEP intervened in Latimer's first appearance before the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal.

For Immediate Release

December 17, 1997

News that the Saskatchewan Crown will appeal Robert J. Latimer's two year sentence for murder was welcomed by the Council of Canadians with Disabilities (CCD), according to its Human Rights Committee spokesperson, Jim Derksen of Winnipeg. Derksen says his group's interest in the appeal stems from fears that the particulars of this case could stand as a precedent endangering the lives of Canadians with disabilities.

(5 December 1997) — In this Latimer Watch, CCD is sharing the reasons that citizens are presenting to the Hon. John Nilson, Attorney General of Saskatchewan, to support an appeal of the sentence that the court handed down to Robert Latimer on 1 December 1997.

(1 December 1997) — People with disabilities are expressing shock and anger over the constitutional exemption the Saskatchewan court granted Robert Latimer. Rather than serving the mandatory sentence for second degree murder (10 years without parole), Latimer will serve less than two years.

For Immediate Release

December 1, 1997

People with disabilities are expressing shock and anger over the constitutional exemption the Saskatchewan court granted Robert Latimer. Rather than serving the mandatory sentence for second degree murder (10 years without parole), Latimer will serve less than two years.

IN THE COURT OF APPEAL FOR SASKATCHEWAN

(28 November 1997) — It is unfortunate Hana Gartner was not at the Latimer Trial so that her questions could have been grounded in the facts of the case rather than misinformation. The facts as established in the trial included that Tracy Latimer's pain was intermittent and situational, rather than "constant" as the interviewer and the Latimers erroneously described it.

by Jim Derksen

(27 November 1997) — Manitoba law professor Barney Sneiderman has developed a model statute which would reduce murder charges to manslaughter on the ground of compassionate motivation. The starting point for this model is the actual state of mind of the accused.

(25 November 1997) — Our community was relieved to see that Robert Latimer was convicted of the murder of his daughter Tracy. The verdict upheld our basic right as people with disabilities to equal protection and benefit of the law. However, over the last week the debate has once again shifted focus from the murder of Tracy to "how could we possibly jail Robert Latimer 'the salt of the earth' for ten years?" We find once again a significant outpouring of support for Robert Latimer and his family.

(21 November, 1997) Halifax—Members of the Canadian Association for Community Living, a national advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring the rights of individuals with intellectual disabilities, strongly support the decision of Mr. Justice G. E. (Ted) Noble, in finding Robert Latimer guilty of murdering his daughter, Tracy.