Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Bulletin: Ivan Henry: British Columbia; Retired detective William Harkema refuses to admit error in wrongful conviction: "During his week-long testimony at Henry’s B.C. Supreme Court trial seeking compensation for the 27 years he spent in prison, Harkema came across as bitter, refusing to even consider he might have made a horrendous mistake." Reporter Ian Mulgrew: Vancouver Sun.
STORY: "Retired detective refuses to admit error in wrongful conviction," by reporter Ian Mulgrew, published by the Vancouver Sun on November 3, 2015.
SUB-HEADING: "Ivan Henry was wrongfully convicted of sexual assault in 1983. He is suing prosecutors for allegedly breaching his Charter rights after he was acquitted in 2010 of 10 sexual-assault convictions."
GIST: "Time doesn’t always heal. Sometimes it hardens. It appears to have ossified retired Vancouver police detective William Harkema.The 72-year-old, who made key investigative decisions that led to the wrongful conviction of Ivan Henry for a series of 1980s sex assaults, may have turned to stone. During his week-long testimony at Henry’s B.C. Supreme Court trial seeking compensation for the 27 years he spent in prison, Harkema came across as bitter, refusing to even consider he might have made a horrendous mistake. Racked by health problems and sitting outside the witness box to accommodate his discomforts, Harkema took refuge in a spotty memory, or simply denied any responsibility for Henry’s ordeal. He bristled at being labelled the lead investigator, although he received a commendation for being “the task force coordinator and responsible for preparing the (Henry) case for court.” While his superiors praised his devotion, “the backbone of the investigation,” Harkema sourly maintained “that wasn’t my opinion, it was their opinion.” He chafed at the suggestion he should have pointed out the discrepancies in the identification of Henry and other problems with the case.........The trial continues."
The entire story can be found at:
