Episode 34 focuses on the shooting by police last weekend of a violent repeat offender, who should never have been allowed to wander Winnipeg streets because of his diminished capacity to function in society.

Part 1- This Crime Courts and Public Safety Update caps off one of the busiest months ever for our podcasts, Winnipeg Sun columns and news articles and a half dozen live events. An email from a new listener came along with their donation to the Season 5 Funding Drive. You’ll hear his message to other listeners and readers about our work.

Then, Transcona Coun. Russ Wyatt sent a letter to the Sun going scorched earth on those responsible for the “epidemic” disorder and violence faced by Transit drivers and riders- the “liberal/white-wine socialists we have on council” who don’t take “entitled law-breakers seriously.” He maintains skipped fares could amount to $10M a year.

Marty discusses his Sun story about Elmwood-EK Councillor Jason Schreyer’s safety meeting last Monday, the ATU safety rally at city hall on Tuesday, and why Mayor Gillingham’s idea of a solution- more Community Safety Officers – falls far short of what’s needed to restore trust in taking a bus.

A lot of the problems we face now were created by former Mayor Brian Bowman, who put his political ambitions ahead of public safety.

20.40 Part 2 – Jordan Charlie was a 24 year old Inuk man from Taloyoak, Nunavut who was incapable of controlling himself, born into a bad situation with FASD, chronic mental health conditions and low cognitive function.

He was sentenced to 4 1/2 years after stabbing a victim in the throat while stealing his pot, then battering a corrections officer.

Sent to Stony Mountain Penitentiary, Charlie severely wounded himself repeatedly, sustaining brain damage. He was released from prison in January.

Stuck in Winnipeg and homeless because somehow, the judges and Crown couldn’t be bothered to figure out how to arrange for him to go back to Nunavut as he wanted, Charlie used a weapon to slash a security guard at HSC, was found with a concealed saw on a Transit bus downtown, and breached probation when apprehended on a bike with a kitchen knife in West Kildonan. All by the end of July.

He was released with time served and a meaningless supervised probation by provincial court Judge Don Slough on November 19.

Five days later, he was shot dead after (allegedly) stabbing a cop in the throat and as seen in bystander video, refusing to drop his weapon and walking out of a bus shack towards two officers at the Unicity plaza.

We ask why a violent man with brain damage diagnosed with oppositional defiant disorder –  ⁠Recurrent patterns of negative, hostile, or defiant behavior towards authority figures⁠ – wasn’t detained for the safety of everyone in Winnipeg, while the details of getting him home were worked out by the Public Trustee.

Jordan Charlie’s death isn’t “society’s fault”- this blame is on the judge who didn’t make sure he was taken care of and on the Crown who failed to ensure the public in Winnipeg was protected from him.

39.55 Part 3 Revisions to the powers of the Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) – including compelling cooperation by employees of a police service and ending the practice of assigning police officers to investigate other cops – has been slow walked by consecutive provincial governments.

The Bill was passed in 2022- but hasn’t been proclaimed. We spoke to the Singer family after Bradley was killed when police stormed his Magnus Avenue home and we have no doubt the investigation is being hindered by the delay in strengthening the IIU operations.

⁠https://actionline.ca/2024/04/april-24-2024-family-gets-ambulance-and-clean-up-bills-but-no-answers-after-cop-shooting/⁠

See also- ⁠Charge ’em: The Magnus Avenue Shooting by Cops

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Here’s this week’s articles from the Winnipeg Sun below– tomorrow’s Sunday column is about needles needles everywhere – and who is to blame. Thank you for your support!