‘The fight is over’

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/10/2008 (6543 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A report into the death of Crystal Taman has vindicated her family and damned the East St. Paul Police Department.

What happens now for the leading players in the three-year legal ordeal?

Robert Taman: A measure of peace

‘There are a lot of changes that are going to be made in the name of Crystal,’ says victim’s husban d

Marty Minuk: Harsh criticism

Report called into question the independent prosecutor’s ability as well as his willingness to accept a plea bargain. ‘Minuk gave up much on behalf of the people of Manitoba, without receiving anything of value in return.’

Harry Bakema and Ken Graham: Another investigation

Bakema, the former chief of the East St. Paul Police Department, and former colleague Ken Graham will soon be the subjects of a second RCMP investigation in as many years into their actions in the hours after Crystal Taman was killed.

‘Bakema and Graham collaborated in preparing their police notes so that their nowtes would create a false picture of an uneventful investigation,’ the report said.

The East St. Paul Police Department: The end

Report recommended a review of the training standards of the officers in the lead agency investigating Crystal Taman’s death. Justice Minister Dave Chomiak took it another step, disbanding the municipal police force in favour of RCMP.

The Winnipeg Police Service: More scrutiny

Its officers were drinking with Harvey-Zenk before the crash. Its professional standards unit was charged with questioning these officers in a process that was doomed from the start. Report recommends the province set up a special investigation unit to handle all cases of police wrongdoing in Manitoba. ‘Police officers who are witnesses to criminal activity are not entitled to be treated with kid gloves simply because they are police officers, as the WPS members were treated in this case.’

The 23 Winnipeg police officers: Harsh criticism

These are the officers who gathered at Branigans the night before the crash. About a dozen officers later went to the Const. Sean Black’s house to continue drinking, Harvey-Zenk included.

‘I find it difficult to accept that 10 officers in close proximity to one another in Black’s kitchen for a couple of hours would be unable to say whether Harvey-Zenk had too much to drink or were unable to comment on Harvey-Zenk’s condition to drive home after leaving Black’s residence,’ report said.

Derek Harvey-Zenk: Nothing

The officer who plowed into the rear of Crystal Taman’s car after a night of drinking was sentenced to two years less a day of house arrest to be served at his Brandon home. He is no longer a police officer.