By James Bowler

Judge lifts publication ban on Marlene Bird’s name

Jul 8, 2014 | 10:41 AM

Marlene Bird does not want to be just another statistic.

These were the words Bird wrote to Judge S.C. Carter that were read aloud during Tuesday’s hearing at Prince Albert Provincial Court. The decision to lift the ban was made during a scheduled court date for Leslie Black, the man facing attempted murder and aggravated sexual assault charges in relation to the June 1 incident that left the 47-year-old woman badly injured.

Black did not appear at the Prince Albert Provincial Court on Tuesday.

When Black made his first appearance, an automatic publication ban came into effect because of the nature of the charges filed against him.

However, Bird’s family immediately spoke out against the ban. Her aunt Lorna Thiessen went to visit Bird in Edmonton to get her consent to continue to use her name in publications relating to this trial.

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“I spoke with Marlene and my sister, Marlene’s mom, and we just didn’t want her to be another stat,” said Thiessen. “We wanted all the information out through the media so we could follow through with all the fundraising and Marlene’s story to be told.”

“We just didn’t want just a faceless nameless person as usual in these cases, we just didn’t want this horrendous crime to be forgotten.”

Thiessen said that this situation could have happened to any woman, no matter what walk of life she came from, and that Bird wanted to be a voice for all women.

“It could be anybody, I don’t care what socio-economic level anybody’s at, it could be anybody,” said Thiessen. “It’s dangerous in any city, that’s my point of view, we wanted it out there so the public is aware of what’s happening.”

Speaking about Bird’s recovery, Thiessen said that Marlene is doing well.

“[She’s] very upbeat,” said Thiessen. “Of course she went down a little slope for a couple of days, but we had a pastor go in and explain a couple of things to her, but she’s upbeat and ready to sit up and move into her wheel chair.

“She’s glad to be alive.”

Thiessen said that Bird will be in the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton for a few more weeks and then moved to Saskatoon to begin her rehabilitation process. 

Black’s bail hearing is set for July 16 at the Prince Albert Provincial Court.

jbowler@panow.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow