By paNOW Staff

Crown drops case against P.A. broadcaster

Feb 15, 2018 | 6:36 PM

The Crown has dropped its case against a broadcast journalist in Prince Albert.

Nigel Maxwell, a senior reporter with paNOW, had pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated and sexual assault laid in June, 2017. In provincial court Wednesday, the Crown decided not to further pursue the charges.

“I didn’t believe I was in a position to prove my case beyond a reasonable doubt,” Crown Prosecutor Catherine Gagnon said. “I didn’t believe I was able to prove the identity of the person who assaulted the complainant.”

Maxwell’s defence lawyer Mary McAuley noted inconsistencies in the evidence.

“There was some discrepancy with respect to the two statements provided by the complainant, and I think as it rolled out … the Crown became increasingly in tune with the evidence we had,” McAuley said. “In the end they issued a stay of proceedings because they did not believe they would get a conviction.”

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McAuley said she could not go into the specific details of the case but said she believed the Crown’s decision to stay the charges was the right one.

Meanwhile, Maxwell, who has worked in Prince Albert media since 2009, said the last eight months have taken a toll on him and his family.

“I really feel like a huge dark cloud has been lifted and my name has been cleared,” he said. “I’m looking forward to moving on with my life, being back at work and watching my young daughter grow up.”

Maxwell said he’s discovered who his true friends are, and thanked those who stood by him.

“I don’t carry any ill will,” Maxwell said. “Some may say I’d be angry or bitter, but I just want to be a positive role model for my daughter.”

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow