Stories Conflict At Metis Election Forgery Trial

Stories Conflict At Metis Election Forgery Trial

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 14:43

 

 

Conflicting stories emerged today at a forgery trial in Saskatoon.

 

Brian Amyotte is facing four charges for his role in the controversial 2004 Metis Nation – Saskatchewan election.

 

Two witnesses pointed to Ralph Kennedy as a mastermind behind the ballot box stuffing scheme that plagued that election, but when he took the stand, he denied ever stuffing any ballot boxes or having any knowledge of a mastermind plan.

 

Others testified he and a group of people that included Amyotte met regularly to strategize on how to win the election no matter what – including through stuffing ballot boxes.

 

Kennedy served jail time for his role in the election – he was sentenced to one year for forgery and served a few months.

 

When his former common-law, Rebecca Vermette, testified, she said Kennedy did participate in ballot box stuffing, and that he was the one who brought the ballot box to stuff.

 

Vermette also testified she tried to blackmail Amyotte for $200 one night when she needed a drug fix.

 

She testified she told him she knew what he had done in the election, even though she says she didn’t really have any information.

 

Vermette testified Amyotte gave her the money.