HAY RIVER
The Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed an application for appeal by a man convicted of shooting and killing a Mountie in Hay River.
Emrah Bulatci was found guilty in the death of Const. Christopher Worden, who was responding to a call for assistance Oct. 6, 2007 when he was shot four times. - |
Three years ago Emrah Bulatci was found guilty in the death of Const. Christopher Worden, who was responding to a call for assistance Oct. 6, 2007 when he was shot four times. The court released its judgment on the appeal Nov. 15 but did not provide any reasons for the decision.
Bulatci's lawyers argued for the appeal on the basis that recordings made of jailhouse conversations between their client and his girlfriend and family should not have been allowed to be submitted as evidence during the trial.
The tapes from the North Slave Correctional Centre were played for the court. In them Bulatci, who grew up in Alberta, is heard asking people to send someone after witnesses.
Hay River Mayor Andrew Cassidy said he believes the community is relieved to not have to live through the court process all over again.
"That (murder) happened five years ago and we've come a long way and we want to continue to move forward, not necessarily put it behind us. We certainly won't forget. We never will forget and that's not the idea but just to be able to accept it and move on," he said.
At the time, the incident shed some light on an area of town with issues that were not yet fully acknowledged by everyone, Cassidy added.
However, the town learned from what happened and is continuing to work on the problems, Cassidy said.
"That was one particular event in our community but that wasn't an isolated event and so we can't let our guard down. We need to continue to move forward and continue to work together as a community to make sure we are able to stay on top of stuff," he said.
Bulatci had previously taken his case before the Northwest Territories Court of Appeal. However, in April the appeal judges agreed with Justice John Vertes, who admitted the recordings, and determined that no "fresh consideration" of the trial judge's analysis was required.
Bulatci will continue to carry out his sentence of 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole.
