One day before Ontario shut down most of its court system, a judge in Brampton, Ont. ordered the release of a man who had pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited firearm and breaching an order prohibiting him from having firearms.
"The entire country is being told to avoid congregations of people. A jail is exactly that, a state mandated congregation of people, excluded from the rest of the population by reason of their crimes or alleged crimes," he wrote. "The virus is clearly easily transmitted, absent strong social distancing or self-isolation, and it is clearly deadly to a significant number of people who it infects. The practical reality is that the ability to practice social distancing and self-isolation is limited, if not impossible, in an institution where inmates do not have single cells. "
In granting bail to a man in Hamilton who stands accused of drug possession for the purpose of trafficking, among other offences, Justice Andrew Goodman noted that Copeland's precedent should not be taken as a "'get out of jail free' card" or a suggestion that accused offenders should expect to be released on bail during the pandemic.
Last week, a judge in Victoria ruled that a man accused in two break-ins should remain in custody even though he would face an elevated risk of acquiring COVID-19, because if he was released, he would be sent to an addictions treatment facility – where the judge said his risk would be even higher.
Bail: could death from Covid be a crime deterrent? Why have the police arrest them if judges will let them go. Doing time? Stay there!
This is pretty much sending a dangeous messages to criminals and wouldbe criminals. Think really hard about this decision. It could backfire.
Really? Assign elderly to lockdown institutions with no visitors, and no transfer to acute care but let criminals run lost! We are a mixed up society where criminals have more rights!
That is stupid
4 shootings in a day, who can explain
Thanks for keeping us safe
Screw that!
These people have lost their mind. This is unacceptable
Justy release all the prisoners in there for marijuana crimes since it's legal now. What will they do? They're happy to sit in the basement and eat munchies!
This is wrong! Hold for impact!!
CTV CANADA'S BIGGEST EMBARRASSMENT.
And the heel with society. Weak justice system.
The individual that was Covid released, then assaulted a policeman who had to be hospitalized, was Covid released a 2nd time two days later. Has he committed any additional assaults on other policeman since his 2nd Covid release?
$2 million bail
It’s disgusting that the same politicians that tell you to stay locked down in your houses release locked down criminals out on the streets!! Another insane policy !! Canadians will never forget this betrayal!!! Trudeau Liberals have failed again!!! liberal_party TrudeauMustGo
That's why there is no TP!
Apologetic sexual offenders to be freed first I'm guessing 🙈
That's ridiculous. They can stay isolated in their cells.
Accused individuals. Not accused criminals.
We are all shit hole countries now.
No wonder Canadian Tire is running out of ammo.
business as usual
That will end well.