Thursday, May 28, 2015
The recent backlash over the actions of prosecutors in the criminal trial of Bradley Barton, accused of the first degree murder of Cindy Gladue and found not guilty by a panel of 11 jurors, raised concerns over the treatment of Aboriginal victims by the justice system and how Ms. Gladue in particular was dehumanized by the way prosecutors presented evidence of the crimes committed against her.
Aboriginal people are overrepresented in prisons, but significantly underrepresented in the administration of the justice system. The decision in the Kokopenace case was a reminder of this problem.