The BC Prosecution Service says a stay of proceedings has been ordered in the sexual assault trial of former provincial cabinet minister and Indigenous leader Edward John, 73.
The decision to stay the case in BC Supreme Court in Prince George comes after cross-examination of the complainant on four counts of non-consensual sex dating back to 1974.
After a morning of cross-examination, the alleged victim, who was visibly upset, requested an early recess, granted by Terence Schultes, after breaking down in tears under questioning by John’s defense attorney , Tony Paisana.
Paisana had said there were inconsistencies between the statements he provided to authorities about the alleged assaults, which were said to have occurred when John was executive director of the Doh Day De Claa Friendship Center, where his accuser had a job of summer
The woman replied that the discrepancies were due to the stress she was under and that the memories became clearer as she talked about them.
“I didn’t lie on purpose,” he said.
The woman expressed frustration with Paisana’s questioning, prompting Schultes to step in to try to calm her down.
The trial is being held this week in Prince George’s court. (Andrew Kurjata/CBC)
Nearly an hour into the process Tuesday morning, he said, “I’m sorry, I need a break.”
Prosecutor Michael Klein met with the woman in an interview room and when Klein returned to the courtroom about an hour later, he told Schultes that the case would not proceed against John, who has pleaded not guilty.
The BC Prosecution Service said in a statement that the charges have been dropped because the standard for assessing charges that requires a substantial likelihood of conviction is no longer met.
John, a lawyer and hereditary chief of the Tl’azt’en Nation, was appointed to the BC Cabinet and served as Minister of the Ministry of Children in the New Democrat government from November 2000 to June 2001.
In a brief statement outside court, Paisana said John is “relieved to have his name cleared and relieved that he can get on with the rest of his life.” Paisana said John regretted missing the papal visit this week because of the trial.