2008-10-14 11:43 PDT

The following is an IHIT response to a letter sent by Michael Macleod to Vancouver media outlets regarding the ongoing trial of Aaron Hickey.

 

I have just reviewed the message authored by Michael McLeod dated Sunday, October 12, 2008 @ 11:09 PM.

I am the Operations Officer for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). In that capacity, I am ultimately accountable for each and every investigation that this unit undertakes. To ensure the integrity of the prosecutorial process, it is not normal RCMP practice to publicly comment on a matter that is still before the courts. Having read the above noted letter, I now feel that the responsible thing for me to do is to provide some clarity on the matter. In doing so, I do not intend to minimize Tammy's death and/or question Michael McLeod's exercising his Section Two (2) Fundamental Freedoms as established in 1982 by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

On September 19th, 2007, Tammy was tragically taken from her family and loved ones. The IHIT investigated the matter. It has been reported that the IHIT were not able to establish Tammy's gender or identity. I am not sure where the source of that information lays, but I can confirm that when the IHIT became involved Tammy's gender or identity were not in question. The IHIT prepared a detailed Report to Crown Counsel outlining the case facts in their entirety. Aaron HICKEY was charged with Second Degree Murder. As the matter moved forward towards the preliminary hearing a decision was made to accept a plea bargain to Manslaughter.  The decision on what somebody is ultimately charged with lays in the hands of the Attorney General's office or Crown Counsel. In this particular case, Terry Schultes, a respected, highly competent man was tasked with reviewing the appropriateness of the charges. Upon his review, a decision was ultimately made that the appropriate charge was Manslaughter. Given my experience with the Justice System and understanding of same, if I was given the opportunity to choose who I would want to oversee such an important function, I would choose Terry Schultes. In other words, if I wanted Justice I would have complete confidence in his decision making abilities and the fact that his decision would be based on a detailed analysis and application of the relevant points of law.

Respectfully,

Bill Fordy, Inspector
Operations Officer
Integrated Homicide Investigation Team

 

Released by

Sgt. Tim Shields
NCO i/c Strategic Communications Section
"E" Div. Strategic Communications
5255 Heather Street, Vancouver B.C. V5Z 1K6
Office: 604-264-2929
Fax: 604-264-3200
Email: bcrcmp@rcmp-grc.gc.ca