Paul Bickford
Northern News Services

Hay River (Mar 17/03) - A charge of assault against a Hay River RCMP officer has been stayed.

The charge was initially laid in a private prosecution.

Hans Wiedemann alleges he was pushed out of the Hay River RCMP detachment by Cpl. Garry Assels.

Wiedemann was facing a charge of attempted murder at the time, before being acquitted late last year.

Crown attorney Sadie Bond told territorial court March 10 that senior Crown officials had carefully reviewed the charge laid by Wiedemann and had decided to intervene.

Bond told the court there was no reasonable prospect of conviction and that the prosecution should not proceed.

Following court, Bond explained the Criminal Code gives the Crown the power to intervene in private prosecutions.

The decision not to proceed was made outside the Yellowknife Crown attorney's office, she noted.

It was referred to federal Department of Justice lawyers in Saskatoon.

Bond said a reasonable prospect of conviction is a test used in every criminal matter.

Wiedemann said he was surprised by the development.

It was his understanding that the Crown intended to proceed with the charges, he says.

"That's the only reason I agreed to give the case over."

However, under the Criminal Code, the Crown can intervene with or without the agreement of the person who initially laid the charge.

Wiedemann has also filed a complaint with the Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP over its investigation into the attempted murder charge.