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Man charged with drunk driving causing death claims his rights were violated
by Scott Gilbreath ~ May 26th, 2009
Cry me a river.
Alexander Beers is charged with impaired driving causing death in connection with the death of a 14-year-old Moncton girl in July 2007. He has told a judge that the RCMP violated his rights on the night he was arrested, but the RCMP rejects his version of events.
James Fowler, Beers’s lawyer, said one of the police officers involved swayed the legal advice of the lawyer on duty that night.
Shortly after Beers was arrested, legal-aid lawyer Yves Robichaud was called. He testified he explained his options to Beers and advised him not to take the breathalyzer test.
On that advice, Beers told police he wasn’t taking the test.
He said Sgt. Jeffrey Johnston told him he would face charges for refusing the test and the consequences would be similar to the impaired driving causing death charges.
Beers said he was confused, so the police offered to call the legal aid lawyer back.
Robichaud said Johnston told him he was counselling an offence by telling his client not to take the test and that he would be investigated for his actions.
Robichaud said he had only been on the job for 11 months, and was confused and intimidated by the officer. He said he changed his advice and told Beers to take the test.
Mr Robichaud appears to have some occupational impediments for someone who seeks work as a lawyer: He is easily intimidated and he advises clients to break the law.
Be that as it may, I hope Robichaud’s incompetence doesn’t allow Mr Beers to wriggle off the hook.
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May 27th, 2009 at 04:48 PM
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