Canadian TV show W-Five is to show a new documentary about Rebecca Middleton's death. It will show Saturday at 7 on CTV... don't know if that channel is received in Bermuda?

The show is said to shed new light on the story and features interviews with some of the witnesses. Senior reporter Malarek says, "This is one of the more heinous crimes that has ever been committed on a Canadian on vacation ... and it seems to have been just swept under the carpet.

"The ultimate result was that years later, you would have a beautiful young woman sent back to Canada in a coffin and no justice for her."

There were a great many serious and grave mistakes made with this investigation, the prosecution and certainly the actual hearing of the matter in court.

In my view no one mistake was worse than the other - they were equally serious in there own right and when joined together they became catastrophic.

One of the main (not the only)  reasons (to my understanding) why the infamous 'deal' was taken was because there was a massive delay in obtaining crucial forensic evidence - the DNA - this delay was a significant challenge and I am confident was a major consideration in making the  'deal' - unfortunately the rest is history.

The only part of this story that seems to get missed was the delay in providing the crucial DNA evidence - was at a Canadian RCMP lab.

I was also made to believe that they (the lab) were aware that the results were for an investigation involving the murder of a Canadian national.

I wonder if this will be reported in the show?

Piglet

Piglet,

You know very well that won't be reported. It doesn't make for the sensationalist story.

 

CC,

There was a delay with the forensic evidence - that is a fact - which is why there was no evidence to detain either party without evidence from the other. Again  fact. I am sure you accept that you can’t hold someone without evidence – again one of the reasons there was the 'deal'.

 I am sure we are all aware that there were no independent witness and without the forensics - the important evidence from the victim was missing.

I am certainly not making any excuses - every country has a case like this - Canada the UK etc. Read some of the disgraceful cases in the Cdian courts - if they even get there!!

Hence the current efforts in Ottawa to push through a new crime bill - unfortunatly this is not an isolated case.

I agree Bermuda is not safe - likewise either are many Canadian Cities - take a walk on a night in some areas of Toronto (muggings drive by shootings), BC (current gang killings) or up North - two Mounties murdered in a month! Tell me how safe you feel when you eventually get home!

My question -  if the coverage of the case 10 years on - is not sensational (not my word) what is it?

I wonder what the program hopes to achieve - as you say the case is well known already in Canada.

It should be noted that Bda AND Canada still have the double jeopardy rule for murder - why hasn't Canada changed their laws? After all Canada is saying that Bermuda needs to update their laws? When are they going to update their laws?

In fairness, I doubt you really have a clue what on with this investigation and I personally know that no Officer or individual wanted this outcome and that everyone of them worked with the hope of the case going before the courts.

It was and remains a truly difficult case and I hope that you personally never have to find yourself tasked with the investigation of such a horrible crime ….

My point remains the same - In my view no one mistake was worse than the other - they were equally serious in there own right and when joined together they became catastrophic. 

Not a rant just some facts…..

Piglet

It happened in Bermuda, Bermuda's system failed Rebecca and her family. I don't know what are Canada's murder rate per 1000 population or whatever but I suspect lower than Bermuda's. I hope the TV show is handled sensitively. I suspect that such shows are inevitable at such an 'anniversary' - in particular because nobody has been punished.

Thanks, Smokes.  I really appreciate your ability to make sense of these things.

It is so hard for me to not have a huge emotional reaction to this topic. 

Seeing Bermudians complain here about how it was 'forners who were to blame infuriates me.  Nothing exemplifies the systemic lack of accountability that rock suffers from more than this case.

I won't be posting on this thread again, it just upsets me too much.   

why was it not labeled what it was.. a hate crime!

I had to laugh at the photo in rg this week of a JA woman ,whose car was sprayed with "Bitch jump up" calling it a a hate crime..

Mike,

No one is blaming any foreigners and if that is how you read it - maybe you should try again.

Interesting how you make an assumption that Bdians are blaming foreigners - who is Bdain and who is a foreigner - some personal judgments and issues going on here??

The facts are the facts - they probably don't suit the undercurrent that seems to be on the agenda here at SUCKS - however in this case there were mistakes made by everyone Bermudians and others.

On topic- I and others hope that the upcoming new documentary really address all of the issues in this case and brings some comfort to those affected by this tragedy.

Piglet