Relationship still under scrutiny

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This article was published 26/03/2010 (5647 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE criminal trial may be over, but the former romance between a Manitoba RCMP officer and a Crown attorney remains under a judicial microscope.

Provincial justice officials announced an independent review in January of a deadly driving case Cpl. Jeff Moyse investigated and Debbie Buors prosecuted last year.

In the case, all impaired driving charges were dropped despite strong evidence the driver had been drinking when he struck and killed a 12-year-old boy on a darkened highway near Sagkeeng First Nation in 2006.

Moyse was the on-duty breath technician and has publicly questioned why Buors never called him to testify at the preliminary hearing.

The trial judge cited problems with the way another RCMP officer questioned the driver at the scene of the fatal crash — and his lack of detailed notes — as grounds for an illegal breathalyzer demand.

Moyse believes he may have been able to salvage the case if put on the witness stand. Buors, and senior management in the justice department, have told the Free Press her relationship with Moyse played no role in how she handled the case.

Moyse also has an outstanding civil lawsuit against Buors for nearly $4,000 in cash and property he claims she owes him. His mother has also filed for a protection order against Buors, claiming she threatened her last spring. Court hearings are set for both matters later this year.

— Mike McIntyre