"It's a fairy tale," he says.

The Hay River man changed his opinion after a year-and-a-half ordeal in the legal system -- from being charged with attempted murder in May 2001 to a jury's not guilty verdict in September 2002.

Hans Wiedemann stands in front of the Hay River Court House, where a jury found him not guilty of attempted murder. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo

Wiedemann, 37, was charged after being accused by his now ex-wife -- a diabetic -- of injecting her with insulin. What followed has left Wiedemann with doubts and criticism of the justice system, and the RCMP in particular.

Wiedemann claims the RCMP pre-judged him from the start, since he was the man in a male/female criminal matter.

"I think they let their hearts get in the way of their jobs," he says, explaining he believes personal opinions, feelings and emotions influenced the police investigation.

Wiedemann says a private investigator hired by his lawyer -- Brian Beresh of Edmonton -- conducted a more thorough investigation than the RCMP.

"They weren't finding out whether I was guilty or innocent. They weren't finding the facts. They were, for lack of a better word, padding their case -- this guy is guilty, guilty, guilty."

Beresh declined to comment on Wiedemann's complaints about the legal system.

Wiedemann believes the fact he is Gwich'in and his ex-wife a non-native may have been a minor factor in who the police believed. Wiedemann says he worries other men may be in similar situations.

Complaint filed against police After he was acquitted, Wiedemann filed a complaint with the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP over the way the force handled his case. And he also filed a complaint against an individual member of the RCMP for an alleged assault, claiming he was verbally abused and physically pushed out of the detachment.

Sgt. Don Fisher of the Hay River RCMP confirms a complaint from Wiedemann is being investigated by an officer from Yellowknife, although he declined to comment further while the investigation proceeds.

Inspector Pat McCloskey of the RCMP's 'G' Division says once the investigation is complete, in a month or so, the Crown attorney's office will determine if the alleged assault should go to court.

Wiedemann says he has also launched a rare private prosecution against the RCMP member, but intends to drop it if the police lay a charge.

Wiedemann says he will eventually file a civil action against the RCMP and individual members, and possibly the Crown attorney's office, for their handling of his case.

"I think there's got to be a total review of the justice system in the Northwest Territories," he adds.

His experience in the justice system over the last couple of years has left Wiedemann shaken.

"The best way I can describe it is soul-ripping, heart-tearing," says the father of three boys.

An attempted murder charge makes it impossible to form friendships or enter into any sort of relationship, he says.

"If I say, 'hi. I'm charged with attempted murder,' what are you going to think?"

Many people thought he was guilty just because he was charged, he says. However, his family and some of his friends stood by him. His family also helped with legal expenses, which he estimates at over $250,000.

Wiedemann, who works as an oilfield safety consultant, intends to eventually leave the NWT to begin a new life elsewhere. However, he says, "I don't think I'll ever get back to normal."