The Basi-Virk Trial: A 2010 Update
Contrary to some other reporters and bloggers, let me help in dispelling the persistent rumours about the most important trial in this province’s history.
There will be NO plea bargain. I do not know why this continues to circulate. It started with some speculation by a Globe and Mail reporter some weeks back. Then it spread to other equally legitimate sources.
But there is NOTHING to it.
On February 8th, everyone goes back to court to map out a trial schedule. Justice Anne MacKenzie, who by all accounts is eager to hear this case, in the interests of “fundamentally fair justice”, will also preside over the cleaning up of pre-trial motions at that time and how long they will likely last will depend on the wrangling between lawyers for the prosecution and defence.
I am also told that this trial is likely to begin sometime in March (pre-trial motions could extend til then though) or certainly this could go to trial by April at the latest. It is anticipated that should the trial begin in April, it may well last until late summer.
I have decided that I will cover this trial and with much interest.
It is time to find out what really happened that fateful day when the people’s house was raided. More importantly, for me, I want to know the details of what happened that led to charges against Messrs Basi, Basi and Virk. Think of them what you will, these gents have been waiting a very long time to try to clear their names–and at much cost (financial and emotional), I’m sure. Remember, too, this whole raid was as a result of drug investigation that involved Jas Bains. We’ll likely do a little retrospective on this in the near future.
Above all, I expect that we will also find out where some of out former AND current public officials were in all this–plus their friends and insiders. THAT will be key to understanding how we got here. I promise to provide as much detail as I can.
For some background…the Basi-Virk Trial has not been covered any better by anyone than Bill Tieleman. Go to his blog and read the definitive account, from beginning to end. The man deserves a Webster Award named in his honour just for the reporting he has done on this most important case (I gather the Websters are too busy looking at honouring the next round of reporters most closely allied with their “sponsors” though). Bill’s coverage will likely extend to 24 Hours newspaper and The Tyee online, too.
Also, BC Mary provides a superb account of the trial, thus far. Additionally, House of Infamy does a super job of covering the raid and subsequent pre-trial with lots of good perspective. You will find links to other very good sites from there.
The basic premise isn’t that complicated: You have a right to know.
It’s time.
I too feel that there will be no plea bargain. It makes no sense for the defendants to fold now after all this time. Hell, they could have done that 5 years ago and probably be finished with whatever sentence they received long before now.
Whether we have a trial or should I say a completed trial may be a different question. The secret witness may prove to be the wild card in how things develope. I may be wrong, but from what I remember, only the prosecution and the judge will be present when MR./MS. X gives his/her testimony. If the judge deems that this information is not good enough for the trial to continue, then it could be game over.
If I remember correctly, the raid on the Legislature was supposedly tied to drugs and I could very easily see the judge ruling that the information obtained regarding BC Rail was illegally obtained. It may all depend on what the search warrant covered.
Remember, we are dealing with BC justice(an oxymoron if ever there was one) and that can be very unpredictable to say the least.
It would be interesting to know who is footing the legal bill for the defendants. It’s not as if they are being represented by legal-aid and one must assume that the number of billable hours is astronomical, and as such the tab is enormous. Someone or some entity definitely wants them to win, but who may that be? I would bet that this entity would prefer their victory sans a full trial, and that is a distinct possibility.
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Hello my friend.
Some observations and comments:
1) The secret witness might be a wild card, as you suggest, but not for whether the trial proceeds or not. I believe the “relevant information” Mr. Berardino had referred to at the time related to some specific issues that could not be expanded upon. Tough to call considering we know nothing of those specifics. I would be cautious not to over-speculate on what the secret witness might offer.
2) I do not believe that testimony is the lynchpin of the case against the accused. There is a whole slew of evidence that will be milled during the early course of the trial.
3) My understanding from trial sources is that each of the accused is paying for their own respective legal representation. None of them are getting any public assistance. Where the specific legal representation of David Basi is concerned, there have been numerous reports in the past of how David Basi has suffered significantly in finding the funds to continue to pay. This is understandable since all the defense lawyers are well-known and would accordingly bill for such expertise.
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Glad to hear you’ve decided to delve into the Basi-Virk trial Alex.
The coverage the MSM has provided thus far has been paltry at best.
If this sort of thing happened in the good ol’ US of A (not that I’m a big fan of the American style) I would suggest it would have taken on the proportions of Watergate, the little blue dress, W of MD, or even the O.J. circus. Metaphorically speaking, I hungrily await Campbell’s trying on of the proverbial glove. Will it will fit like…well…like a glove ?;-)
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Yes, I will be covering the trial extensively. Of course, we are agreed, that the MSM coverage has been anemic at best–but it’s coming slowly. Tune in for more updates as they are available.
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Finally. We’ll be able to see some traction on this. It is a bit of a paradox for The Gordomatic as he clearly said during the 1996 election that BC Rail would be put up for sale. That (and amongst other errors such as that wince inducing plaid shirt and guitar act) added to the re-election of the NDP.
Also worth nothing is that both Virk and Basi played the “Organizer Game”, seeking out ‘preferred candidates’ for the BC Liberals (rather than doing what they should have been doing and that is assisting the local ridings in finding candidates and providing Party resources through the lead up to the election). One – forget who, was also playing the same game with the federal Liberals. They seemed both to want to mainline on power.
More power plays than you’d see at a Canucks-Leafs game.
So they got their political reward a nice plum MA post for each, and good money. But didn’t go smart (otherwise they wouldn’t be in a
hardwood chair in court).
It will be fascinating to see what happens when The Curtain is pulled
back and The Wizard is exposed.
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Two were actually heavily involved with both the provincial and federal Liberals: Bobby Virk and Dave Basi. Basi in particular, was a big-name, flamboyant organizer, who loved the limelight. His crew was referred to as ‘Basi’s Boys’ and they were directly linked, politically, with then Deputy Premier Christy Clark and her then husband, former Liberal powerhouse organizer Mark Marissen.
When the curtain is pulled back, as you suggest, it will be VERY interesting, indeed, to see just how much of the rhetorical spin we’ve been getting from all sorts of players over the years, will melt away and reveal the truth about what was really going on.
There are just too many coincidences for me where this case comes to pass…deleted emails; secret meetings; no bid, no tender consultancies; lack of transparency in govt; spontaneous retirements by all major Cabinet Ministers most touched, either directly or indirectly, by the affair… Interesting times…
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While it would be nice to bring this thing to its denouement, I’m glad to see that the justice system employees are making a killing at taxpayer expense. By the way, thanks for the song from uncle Tony; a pleasant surprise .
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With pleasure…
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It seems to me, many crimes, are just written off. The, RCMP, is a good example. They murder, Robert at Vancouver Airport (Editor’s note: this is the opinion of the writer of this comment and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of alexgtsakumis.com), even caught on video, and of course, the RCMP, did no wrong. One of those same officers, was drunk, and hit a young man on his motorcycle, and left the scene of his crime, and purposely (Editor’s note: this is speculation on the part of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of alexgtsakumis.com), did not, assist the dying man. He, lies and says he took his children home and, and then, got drunk??? Well, I guess, dead men can’t talk, can they? You see, if a regular citizen, committed all the crimes the RCMP do, we would, do serious prison time. And our corrupt justice system, will probably allow, Basi and Virk, to get away with their crimes (Editor’s note: Messrs Basi, Basi and Virk are accused before the court and not convicted. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty.). The, gruesome twosome, don’t seem to be all too worried, of the outcome (Editor’s note: this is pure speculation by the writer of this comment). They seem to have destroyed enough evidence, to get away with it (Editor’s note: this is pure speculation by the writer of this note and doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinions of alexgtsakumis.com). Canada, is corrupt to the core, and, will stay that way, until we get an honest P.M, that is willing to try to rid this country, of corruption and greed. Canada, needs to have, a new Party. There is no confidence, in the Party’s, we have now.
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Ginger: I certainly appreciate your emotions and feelings, but I ask, in fairness, that you are careful in how you comment on this blog. I am a firm believer in freedom of speech, but ask you to be very careful how you comment here. I must edit for legal reasons. But please don’t lose any of your trademark emotion! Thank you in advance.
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