CBC blamed for trial delays
Radio story undermines jury selection in sex assault trial

Ian Elliot
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 11/98) - A Crown prosecutor has asked for the transcript of a CBC Radio report that made jury selection impossible in a sexual assault trial in Inuvik last week.

Bernadette Schmaltz said the trial of an Inuvik man was postponed after almost all potential jurors were dismissed because they had heard the story, which painted the accused in a strongly positive light.

The item reported what his neighbors thought of him and even made note of the fact that his photograph had appeared in an Inuvialuit Regional Corporation publication.

IRC officials were not happy with the report, nor was the court. After initial juror screening, not enough people were left to form a 12-person jury.

CBC North Radio executive producer Ian Hanna called the story an "accurate and timely" version of events, adding that it was examined by lawyers before it was aired, as is standard practice.

The Supreme Court has requested a copy of the report in order to review its options.

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