September 30, 2008
Province Receives Taman Inquiry Report
The findings and recommendations of the inquiry into the investigation and prosecution, and justice services provided to the families in relation to the death of Crystal Taman were received today by Attorney General Dave Chomiak.
The report will be printed as soon as possible and will be made public shortly.
Taman was killed in an automobile collision on Feb. 25, 2005. East St. Paul police charged Derek Harvey-Zenk in connection with the case. He received a conditional sentence of two years less a day on a charge of dangerous driving causing death.
The inquiry into the handling of the case was conducted by former justice of the Ontario Superior Court Roger Salhany. The inquiry sat for 30 days, hearing from a total of 50 witnesses. The inquiry’s budget was set at $2.6 million.
It examined:
· the conduct of the police investigations surrounding the death of Taman including the correctness and adequacy of the procedures and practices that were followed, and the good faith, objectiveness and professional standards with which the procedures and practices were applied and decisions made;
· whether all aspects of the prosecution of Harvey-Zenk, including the Crown’s position on sentencing, were conducted in accordance with the professional and ethical standards expected of lawyers and agents of the attorney general;
· whether the services provided to the Taman family were sufficient in regard to the requirements of the Victims’ Bill of Rights;
· whether any aspect of this case should be further studied, reviewed or investigated and, if so, by whom; and
· other matters related to the case deemed relevant by the commissioner.
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