NORTH BATTLEFORD – The way Drayden Clinton’s trial unfolded “wasn’t reprehensible,” said Judge Daniel O’Hanlon on Nov. 4.
In a rare move, Judge O’Hanlon had commented in September that the way Clinton’s trial unfolded during the pandemic, the number of charges against him, and the time it took to have the matters fully adjudicated was “bordering on reprehensible.”
However, when handing down his verdict on Clinton in North Battleford Provincial Court, Judge O’Hanlon said the trial “wasn’t reprehensible.” He said the COVID pandemic had caused unfortunate delays in Clinton’s right to a trial within a reasonable timeframe.
Calgary lawyer Tom Stepper had filed a Charter application. The Jordan Application sought to have Clinton’s case thrown out due to what Stepper said were unreasonable delays. Clinton’s trial was scheduled and delayed three times.
In 2016 the Supreme Court ruled that court cases must be heard within 18 months in provincial court and 30 months in superior court. If they aren’t, the case could be thrown out of court.
In August 2021, Judge O’Hanlon ruled that Clinton’s right to have a trial within a reasonable time wasn’t violated.
Judge Daniel O’Hanlon was scheduled to hand down his verdict on Clinton's guilt or innocence on Oct. 15 but adjourned the matter to Oct. 29, and then subsequently adjourned it to Nov. 4.
Clinton was found not guilty in connection to an alleged home invasion and assault on Rick Heitt and not guilty of attempted armed robbery of the Macklin bar. He was found guilty of uttering threats, resisting arrest, breaching conditions, and possession of stolen property.
See related story “Clinton not guilty of hotel armed robbery and home invasion”
