On June 22, 2011, Cree mother Cindy Gladue was killed by Ontario trucker Bradley Barton. For the next decade, her story would provoke national outrage—and sympathy.
The events of that trial—dozens of references to Gladue as a “prostitute” or “Native prostitute” by lawyers and witnesses, the unprecedented decision by crown attorneys to exhibit pelvic tissue taken from Gladue’s body as evidence, Barton’s subsequent acquittal, and the multiple protests and campaigns that followed—are well-known.
Less well-known was the fact that Alberta courts had failed to hold a special pre-trial hearing under Section 276 of the Criminal Code of Canada, which would determine whether or not Gladue and Barton’s mutual history and sexual histories could properly be admitted as evidence.
Years later, in 2019—10 days before the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released its final report—the Supreme Court of Canada ordered a re-trial for Barton in Gladue’s death.
Key in the decision to hold a re-trial was the lack of a hearing under Section 276 of the Criminal Code. The Supreme Court found that while other actions taken by the crown, defence, judge, and jury did not necessarily result in a “mistake of law,” the lack of a Section 276 hearing did.
Earlier this year, Barton was tried, and sentenced.
APTN Investigates: Cindy’s Justice
• • •
APTN National News, our stories told our way.
Subscribe here: [ Ссылка ]
Visit our website for more: [ Ссылка ]
Follow APTN News on Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Like APTN News on Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Follow APTN News on Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
Download the APTN News app here: [ Ссылка ]
Listen and subscribe to APTN News podcasts here: [ Ссылка ]
