Review of Nygard case in Manitoba was 'abuse of process,' judge rules
Provincial court Judge Mary Kate Harvie made the ruling Tuesday morning but did not grant a judicial stay of proceedings, which Nygard's lawyer had requested during arguments earlier this month.
"I am satisfied that the actions of the attorney general amount to an abuse of process. I am not satisfied that this is one of the clearest cases where a judicial stay of proceedings is appropriate," Harvie said.
She called the abuse of process "a serious one," saying the actions of then-attorney general Kelvin Goertzen fell "well short of accepted standards."
Harvie said she was satisfied "the appropriate message has been sent" regarding Goertzen's actions, but the case against Nygard will proceed. It is set return to court in September for motions.
Nygard was first arrested in Winnipeg in December 2020 under the Extradition Act, after he was charged with nine counts in New York, including sex trafficking and racketeering.
At the time, the Winnipeg Police Service had been investigating the former fashion mogul for months. The files of eight women who alleged they'd been assaulted by Nygard were sent to Manitoba Justice for review in December 2020, but Manitoba prosecutors decided in 2021 not to lay charges.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
5 minutes ago
- CTV News
Barrie high school music teacher facing sex crimes involving male student
Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Warning: Content in this article may be upsetting or triggering to some readers. A Barrie high school music teacher is facing serious allegations of sex crimes involving a male student. Jennifer Elise Lawrence, 31, was a music teacher at Maple Ridge Secondary School in the south end of Barrie until April of this year, when police charged Lawrence following an investigation. According to court documents obtained by CTV News, Lawrence, who was removed from teaching in late April, is charged with sexual exploitation, child luring, sexual assault and making sexually explicit materials available to a person under the age of 18. Jennifer Elise Lawrence Jennifer Elise Lawrence (Source: Supplied) The charging documents reveal the allegations stems from incidents between February and April 2025. According to the Ontario College of Teachers, Lawrence has been an educator for about four years. She remains in good standing pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. Released on a promise to pay $1000, Lawrence is not allowed to work as a teacher, volunteer, or be in a position of trust or authority, or have any contact or communication with children. Lawrence's lawyer, Saman Wickramasinghe, told CTV News neither he nor his client are in a position to comment on the ongoing matter. The Simcoe County District School Board, which oversees Maple Ridge Secondary School, also declined to comment on the teacher's charges or her status as an employee, directing any questions to Barrie Police. Maple Ridge Secondary Maple Ridge Secondary School in Barrie, Ont., on Wed., July 30, 2025. (CTV News/David Sullivan) A communications representative with Barrie Police Service declined to answer any questions and offered no information on the case, citing a court-imposed publication ban. Two publication bans were ordered in April protecting the identity of the complainant and any evidence heard in court from being released. The allegations against Lawrence have not been tested in court. The accused returns to a virtual courtroom later this month.
CTV News
5 minutes ago
- CTV News
Charges laid in Langley, B.C., double-shooting that left 1 man dead
Nearly one year after a double-shooting in Langley, B.C., that left a 41-year-old man dead, a suspect has been charged with second-degree murder. Authorities said they found two men shot after responding to report of gunfire on 202B Street in the early morning hours of Aug. 2, 2024. One of the victims, Langley resident Dillan Unger, succumbed to his injuries in hospital. On Friday, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team announced charges against Stephen Johnson. 'Investigators can confirm that Mr. Unger and Mr. Johnson were known to each other,' IHIT said in a news release. 'Mr. Johnson remains in custody.' The accused is also charged with four counts of attempted murder, one count of aggravated assault, one count of using a firearm in the commission of an offence, and one count of reckless discharge of a firearm. Authorities have never commented on a possible motive in Unger's killing. IHIT said it will not be providing any further details while the case is before the courts.
CBC
5 minutes ago
- CBC
Act of 'disturbing' cruelty leaves 1 horse dead and several others injured in Welland, Ont., ranch
One horse was killed and several others injured in Welland, Ont. after what Niagara police called a "disturbing act of animal cruelty." Police said in a news release on Friday, staff at a horse boarding farm found several horses with injuries "consistent with cuts and stab wounds" on Thursday morning. Eight horses were targeted, police said. One was found dead at the scene, another was moved to an emergency vet in Guelph, Ont., and the others were treated at the farm. CBC News confirmed the farm was Eagle Wing Ranch on 426 Buchner Rd. in Welland. The ranch is described as a "family owned and operated hunter/jumper facility." Niagara police constable Richard Hingley told CBC News the horses at the ranch were there for "several reasons," such as riding and shows. Other horses were pets "to other people who don't have farms," he said. Amanda Janssen at the ranch said they were "reeling" and "grieving" and asked for privacy. In a Facebook post, Janssen said there were "no words to describe the shock and devastation our barn staff and family felt as yesterday unfolded." "It felt like a terrible dream you were begging to wake up from. The grief is heavy as we mourn the loss of a very special horse and the injuries of 7 others," Janssen said in the post. An 'extremely devastating' loss Hingley said in his experience, he had never seen any "personal attack" on horses. He said in attending other incidents involving these animals and having friends who own them, he knows "horses are not pets to their owners, they're family members." "When there is a tragic loss to a horse, it's extremely devastating to the individuals," he added. Hingley said the ranch owners "have no idea" who could have targeted the ranch or horses. "We have to be open to everything, whether someone is upset with the ranch, whether someone is upset with a particular horse owner or all avenues in between there," he said. Niagara police said the investigation is ongoing and their Forensic Services Unit went to the scene and "conducted a thorough examination for evidence." Police are also asking other jurisdictions in the area if they've had similar reports. Hingley the incident happened between 11 p.m. on July 30 and 6 a.m. on July 31. "What we are appealing for right now is for anyone that may have been in the area driving at that time to go back, check their dash cam footage if they have some," he said.
