A Winnipeg court acquitted former East St. Paul police chief Harry Bakema of all charges on Friday.
The Crown had alleged Bakema, a former Winnipeg police officer, covered for off-duty Winnipeg police officer Derek Harvey Zenk while Bakema led the East St. Paul police investigation into a 2005 crash that killed Crystal Taman. The mother of three died when Zenk rear-ended her.
In his ruling, Provincial Court Judge Kelly Moar stated Bakema is responsible for a poor investigation on the crash that killed Taman, but that doesn't make him a criminal.
Bakema broke down in tears when the verdict came in, but Taman’s family said they are filled with disappointment.
Robert Taman, Crystal’s husband, said he is not surprised but is also not pleased with Bakema’s acquittal. “Justice takes two steps back today,” he said.
“No matter what, you know, you're eight-and-a-half years (later), and you're still deeply emotional, to go through this again.”
A 2008 inquiry found East St. Paul police botched the impaired driving case against Zenk, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death.
Bakema faced perjury, breach of trust and obstruction of justice charges for his role in what the inquiry described as a botched investigation. During Bakema’s trial, the Crown dropped two counts of perjury due to lack of evidence. The Crown did proceed with other counts of perjury and obstruction of justice.
Lack of evidence cleared Harvey-Zenk of an impaired driving charge, and lack of evidence cleared Bakema as well. The judge based his decision on a lack of proper note-taking by police.
Moar said the East St. Paul police didn't have enough officers to handle the investigation.
The legal process has affected Bakema’s health, his lawyer Hymie Weinstein said.
Robert Taman hopes changes are coming. He’s calling for tougher laws for drunk drivers. He wants mandatory breathalyzers for suspected drunk drivers.
- With a report from Alesia Fieldberg
