The man accused of driving this pickup, who may escape trial, is now awaiting trial. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Fate of Prince Albert impaired driving case, rests in hands of judge

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Claiming police failed to provide important video evidence, the lawyer for a man charged with impaired driving, wants all the charges stayed.

The case that dates back to last August in Prince Albert, involving a multi-vehicle crash on the Diefenbaker Bridge, was addressed Friday at provincial court. The Voir dire, which acts as a sort of trial within a trial, is designed to help iron out any outstanding concerns.

Jeremy Miller, the man held responsible for the crash, was not present.

While Crown Prosecutor Manmeet Rai argued all the disclosure was made available by their office, and within an expedited time frame, defence lawyer Ron Piche inquired about what what’s known as the WatchGuard video. This is the video that would be recorded by the officers’ cars and turns on when the car’s emergency lights get activated.

At the time of the crash, the vehicles involved were near the middle of the bridge and the two police cars were parked on opposite sides of the bridge. It was explained in court that due to the number of cars on the bridge at the time of the accident, this was the closest the officers could get.

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There was one police officer in each car and each was asked to testify on Friday.

While confirming his car did record video, one officer explained it was essentially useless as the car was pointed away from the crash scene.

The other female officer had also confirmed her car recorded video, but added due to her proximity she also did not feel it contained any valuable evidence.

It was also her car that was used to transport the accused to the police station and a conversation had occurred in the car that lasted roughly three minutes. This video was also not submitted as evidence.

Claiming the Prince Albert Police Service has a history of “fumbling the ball” with respect to providing video disclosure, and even citing recent frustration by a local judge, Piche said the decision by the one officer to withhold video simply because she did not think it contained anything noteworthy, was not hers to make.

“She’s clearly wrong,” he said

In turn, the Crown Prosecutor explained at the end of the day the contents contained on those videos were inconsequential when compared to the more detailed evidence contained in a three-hour police statement, as well as witness testimony and breath samples. Piche then rebutted he did not care how long those WatchGuard videos were.

“We don’t know how valuable it could be because we don’t have it,” he said.

In the end, Judge Daunt opted to reserve her decision on the defence’s request for a stay of proceedings to March 14. She also ordered for all videos, if available, to be submitted as evidence.

On the day of the crash, Miller was allegedly driving the pickup that was observed jumping over the concrete divider on the bridge.

The Ram pickup collided with several vehicles while going in the opposite direction on the bridge and stopped after being stuck between another pickup pulling a holiday camper and the concrete bridge wall.

Witnesses told paNOW at the time that the pickup was travelling up to 100 km/hr. The speed limit on the bridge is 50 km/hr. There were no injuries were reported in the incident.

Miller was also charged with failing to show up at the police station to have his fingerprints taken. Not guilty pleas were entered last October.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell