A senior Crown attorney is under police protection after four men allegedly armed with knives forced their way into her Wolseley-area home early Saturday -- just hours after she got a phone message at her office saying "We're going to kill you."
Police and justice officials believe the prosecutor was targeted by members and associates of a local street gang. Three men have been arrested; a fourth is being sought
"To have something of this severity is unprecedented in Manitoba," said Lisa Carson, president of the Manitoba Association of Crown Attorneys.
"And this certainly had the potential to be much worse."
Court records obtained by the Free Press show one of the suspects was convicted in 1998 of manslaughter and currently was on bail for outstanding charges. Another suspect has been wanted on a warrant since February for missing court on pending matters.
Don Slough, assistant deputy attorney general, said there was great concern in his department after the Crown attorney received the threatening message from an unknown man on Friday afternoon.
He said increased security measures were put in place by "flagging" the woman's home address -- which is listed in the phone book -- as a high priority should there be any calls to police.
As well, the woman is away from her home and is being protected by police.
Police and justice officials are reluctant to link the attempted home invasion to any specific case the prosecutor was handling. But the attack has left many in the legal system angry and shaken.
"This raises things to a new level," said one veteran lawyer.
The prosecutor received a threatening call in her office Friday afternoon, which concerned her enough to report it to police.
The prosecutor's husband described his wife as "very shaken up." The woman -- whose name isn't being published at the request of justice officials -- has a caseload which includes serious criminal cases but not gang-related matters.
Friends of the woman who have spoken with her say she has no voice left after screaming herself hoarse during the attack.
Although the husband didn't want to discuss specific details of the attack, several friends and associates of the woman said Monday the outcome could have been tragic if not for him.
"Thank God (the husband) was there. I can't imagine what would have happened if he wasn't," said a lawyer who is a close friend of the woman.
Police received a call around 6:15 a.m. Saturday from a neighbour who saw four suspicious people getting out of a van in a backlane.
The prosecutor and her husband woke up to loud banging on their front door. The husband said he blocked the door with his shoulder as the four masked strangers tried to break it down.
Police spokesperson Const. Jacqueline Chaput said as the four men tried to force their way in, they yelled threats at the husband. Sources say the threats included specific mention of a shooting.
Unable to get in the front, the intruders ran to the back.
The husband said he again tried to stop them, but this time they managed to get through the door. He had armed himself with a piece of wood, and the intruders suddenly fled the home without further incident.
They sped away from the scene in a stolen minivan.
The husband and police say they didn't know what spooked the intruders to leave when they did. They also don't know why the house was targeted but sources said the timing of the home invasion appeared to be intentionally picked to ensure someone was at home so that there would be a confrontation.
Neighbours said several police cars arrived at the house moments after the men fled.
Three suspects were arrested later Saturday. Sources say police got a major break in the investigation when a man called to report his van had been "hijacked" and officers began to follow up on his report.
The prosecutor's home address was listed in the phone book, a rarity for someone in her position. The husband said Monday they were aware of the security risk but "just wanted to live a normal life."
"This is not Colombia," he said.
Justice Minister Dave Chomiak said he wouldn't discuss the specifics of the case but said he is concerned about the safety of his employees.
He said he has spoken to the prosecutor involved calling her "a strong person."
"The system of justice and its people are a lot stronger than those elements out there that seek to take advantage of the system," he said.
bruce.owen@freepress.mb.ca
www.mikeoncrime.com
--with files from Mia Rabson
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