Decision In Ahenakew Trial Expected In February

Decision In Ahenakew Trial Expected In February

Monday, December 01, 2008 at 13:24

A verdict in David Ahenakew’s hate trial will be rendered on February 23rd.

The former national chief is facing charges of wilfully promoting hatred stemming from comments he made about Jews to a reporter six years ago.

Crown prosecutor Sandeep Bains maintains that even though Ahenakew says he didn’t know the interview was being recorded and that it was a private conversation — the evidence suggests otherwise.

Bains says the Crown is relying on evidence that the media was invited to the FSIN health conference where Ahenakew made his controversial remarks, and testimony from Ahenakew that he was willing to give an interview about health consent forms.

Bains says if Ahenakew was open to doing an interview with the reporter, than anything that was said after that was part of the interview.

However, Ahenakew’s lawyer says his client was not trying to promote his beliefs and didn’t instigate the interview.

Douglas Christie says Ahenakew was answering reporter James Parker’s questions about his beliefs.