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extensive information regarding Monique Turenne | Have
your say on the blog | Winnipeg police
in the news again: internal report leaked |
- When Chief
Ewatski wrote to me to stand behind Loren
Schinkel's denial that he forged documents did he know these
documents had been filed stateside?
- The Grand Jury indictment,
extradition and prosecution of Monique Turenne is the personal
mission of politically amitious Florida former DA Jim
Appleman.
-
Monique
Turenne: Florida trial
May,
2005 > > >
Turenne chooses Walter
Smith as lawyer
By David Angier, News Herald
Writer 747-5077 / dangier@pcnh.com, March 23, 2005
For better or for worse, Monique
Turenne took Deputy Public Defender Walter Smith to be her lawfully
appointed lawyer Tuesday, after the only objection to their union
was withdrawn.
"Definitely," Turenne
told Circuit Judge Michael Overstreet when he asked her if she
wanted to retain Smith, despite the fact that he might have information
that could exonerate her but could not use it.
Overstreet told her this would
be a decision she would have to live with forever.
Turenne, 48, is charged with
firstdegree murder in the death of her husband, Canadian Air
Force Maj. David Turenne, who was beaten to death Feb. 9, 1996,
outside their Panama City home. Monique Turenne returned home
to Canada shortly after her husband's death and fought extradition
from 1997, when she was indicted, until December, when she was
returned to Bay County.
Monique Turenne is scheduled
for trial June 13.
In February, Overstreet assigned
the Public Defender's Office to represent Turenne, and Smith,
who handles the majority of the murder cases in the 14th Circuit,
took the case. Soon after, however, Monique Turenne's co-defendant
Ralph Crompton filed complaints with the court and Florida Bar.
Crompton, who was convicted
in 1996 of David Turenne's murder and sentenced to life in prison,
said Smith, who briefly represented Crompton after his arrest,
would have a conflict of interest by handling Monique Turenne's
case.
Crompton withdrew his complaint
before court Tuesday. He has hired private attorney Ben Bollinger
to protect his interests in this case.
Bollinger told Overstreet that
Crompton also withdrew his bar complaint.
Overstreet then spent several
minutes making sure that Monique Turenne understood what she
could be giving up by having Smith represent her. He said Smith
could have gained valuable information from Crompton that he
would be barred from using to help her.
Overstreet said there was nothing
to stop Crompton from filing his complaints again, which would
bring Smith's representation back into question.
"I understand," Monique
Turenne said.
She said it bothered her that
Crompton could go "back and forth" on this issue if
he wanted to.
Once the matter of Smith's
continued representation was resolved, Overstreet granted a unique
motion to partially open grand jury testimony.
Smith asked for access to testimony
from the March 1997 grand jury that indicted Monique Turenne.
In his motion, Smith wrote that he needs to see the records to
determine if Crompton testified and, if he did, how much of the
evidence did his testimony represent.
Smith said the state had painted
Crompton as a liar at his trial and if prosecutors relied on
testimony they knew to be false it would violate Monique Turenne's
due process and negate the indictment.
Overstreet said he would have
all the testimony transcribed and privately review it. He said
he would determine after that if Smith could see it.
Smith said prosecutor Larry
Basford was working with him, without a court order, to get phone
records for a person named "Diablo," who Crompton claimed
had a hand in the killing.
After Crompton's conviction,
he claimed his attorney was ineffective because he did not try
to find Diablo. Smith said he wants records for the local number
that Crompton supplied.
Smith told Overstreet that
he wanted to get the records, but didn't "think this will
bear fruit."
 The night before David Turenne's murdered
body was found the man depicted in this drawing came to the Turenne
home in Panama City. He demanded to see David and when told David
was not there, ransacked the house until he found a brief case
full of money stashed in a closet. He told Monique that if she
spoke of this visit to anyone, he would have her children killed.
Finding her dead husband's body outside the house the next morning
reinforced the seriousness of this threat. Her son, Danny, who
had seen the intruder made this accurate depiction of the man
they referred to as "the ponytail man." When his name
came up at one of Ralph Crompton's appeal hearings, Monique went
public with this . . .
Full story
Turenne's counsel in
question
By David
Angier News Herald Writer, Mar 9, 2005
Deputy Public Defender Walter
Smith was ready to argue two motions in accused killer Monique
Turenne's case Tuesday, but all anybody else wanted to talk about
is whether he should still be on the case.
Turenne, 48, is charged with
first-degree murder in the death of her husband, Canadian Air
Force Maj.
David Turenne, who was beaten
to death Feb. 9, 1996, outside their Panama City home. Monique
Turenne returned home to Canada shortly after her husband's death
and fought extradition from 1997, when she was indicted, until
December, when she was returned to Bay County.
Circuit Judge Michael Overstreet
assigned the Public Defender's Office to represent Turenne after
finding that she was indigent. Smith, who does the majority of
murder cases handled by the 14th Circuit Public Defender's Office,
began representing Turenne in February.
Turenne's co-defendant, Ralph
Crompton, then filed a complaint with the Florida Bar stating
that Smith represented him for a few months in 1996, before Crompton
hired a private attorney, and it would be a conflict of interest
for Smith to defend Turenne.
On Tuesday, Smith and prosecutor
Larry Basford went before Overstreet to argue two motions that
Smith filed. Smith is asking for access to testimony from the
March 1997 grand jury that indicted Turenne.
In his motion, Smith wrote
that he needs to see the records to determine if Crompton testified
and, if he did, how much of the evidence did his testimony represent.
Smith said the state painted
Crompton as a liar at his trial and if prosecutors relied on
testimony they knew to be false it would violate Turenne's due
process and negate the indictment.
Smith also filed a motion on
Feb. 25 asking for phone records on a telephone number that Crompton
claims once belonged to a man named "Diablo," who played
some role in David Turenne's death.
After his conviction, Crompton
claimed his attorney was ineffective because he didn't try to
find Diablo. Smith said he wants records for the local number
that Crompton supplied.
With these two motions on the
table, Basford first addressed the issue of whether Smith needs
to be on the case considering Crompton's complaint to the bar.
Basford said Crompton has contacted a private attorney to represent
him in a hearing to determine whether there is a conflict of
interest.
Smith told Overstreet that
he has responded to the bar complaint and his stance is that
there is no conflict of interest because Crompton cannot be adversely
affected by Smith's representation of Turenne.
Because Crompton has been convicted
and sentenced, with both being conclusively affirmed by the First
District Court of Appeal, there is nothing else the state could
do to him, Smith said.
Overstreet said he had Smith's
and Basford's written briefs and would review them. He scheduled
another hearing for March 22 to resolve Smith's standing on the
case. If Overstreet finds there is no conflict of interest, he
said he would be ready to move forward on the other motions.
- Supreme Court dismisses
Monique Turenne's application to order her trial in Canada
-
- December 16,
2004: Monique Turenne will have to go to Florida to face trial
for murder charges which were laid by a grand jury based on the
testimony of Ralph Crompton, who is already convicted murdering
David Turenne. Both Monique and David were Canadian citizens
living off-base in Panama City where David was a major in the
Canadian air force.
Monique Turenne was thoroughly
investigated before being sent home with her two children in
a Canadian Air Force plane in 1996. Florida police arranged for
Winnipeg police to take her in for questioning the night before
her husband's funeral. There, Loren Schinkel and Jim Thiessen
did a Reid Technique interrogation for nine hours during which
Monique Turenne claims she told them she had never had an affair
with Crompton and was not involved in any way with her husband's
murder. The interview was not taped on either video or audio.
Almost three years later, a nine page typed statement sworn to
by Loren Schinkel was presented to a grand jury in Florida. This,
and testimony from Crompton who had been cited as an incorrigible
liar during his own trial, were the only evidence the Florida
grand jury based its indictment on.
The statement created by Schinkel
is fanciful. In it, Monique is supposed to have asked her husband
to go to the drug store in the middle of the night to get her
some Midol for menstrual cramps. When I spoke to Monique Turenne
about this, she told me that was preposterous for two reasons:
she had never used Midol since she tried it once as a teenager
and, more importantly, David Turenne was not the kind of husband
who ran errands for his wife. In fact he had not come into the
house the night he died and evidence from the crime scene suggests
he was intercepted and killed after he entered the yard but before
he came into the house.
For some time news reports
have stated that Florida authorities claim Monique confessed
to Florida police. If the Florida authorities are saying that,
they are lying. The only "confession" is the forged
document created by Loren Schinkel and Jim Thiessen of the Winnipeg
police. It is a document which would not withstand scrutiny in
any Canadian court.
Every Friday for the last five
years, Monique Turenne has presented herself to the Public Safety
Building in Winnipeg to report to the police, as a condition
of her bail. Contrary to some reports filed by malicious in-laws,
she does not have much money and has worked for most of the time
she has been in Canada. Her deceased husband's sister, who is
executrix of the estate, has fought her applications in court
for basic needs for her children. The court has granted money
for some dental and other bills. Her oldest son, Daniel, turned
18 this year and is attending university.
Turenne first contacted injusticebusters
three years ago. Links to previous stories are in sidebar.
Winnipeg woman loses
final bid to escape extradition on murder charge
MICHELLE MACAFEE, December
16, 2004
WINNIPEG (CP) - A Winnipeg
woman accused of killing her husband in Florida nearly nine years
ago turned herself in to RCMP Thursday after losing a last-ditch
attempt to avoid extradition.
The Supreme Court of Canada
refused to hear Monique Turenne's appeal, leaving her no choice
but to return to Florida to stand trial on a first-degree murder
charge. "Ms. Turenne turned herself in this morning, accompanied
by her lawyer," said RCMP Sgt. Steve Colwell.
"She's at the provincial
remand centre and will await the arrival of U.S. authorities
to come and bring her back."
Colwell did not know how soon
Turenne would leave Canada.
No reason was given for the
top court's decision, as is custom with leave applications.
Lawyers had argued that sending
Turenne back to the United States would violate her charter rights.
But the Manitoba Court of Appeal
dismissed those arguments last summer, saying Turenne failed
to establish the extradition judge erred in rejecting her bid
to stay in Canada.
Her request to have the Supreme
Court hear the case was considered a long shot because the Appeal
Court was unanimous.
Turenne was charged after her
husband, Canadian Forces Maj. David Turenne, was beaten to death
with a hammer outside their home in Panama City, Fla., in February
1996.
Ralph Crompton, who police
allege was Turenne's lover in a triangle gone wrong, was arrested
immediately after the slaying and is serving a life sentence
in Florida. His appeal has been denied.
Turenne has always maintained
her innocence.
Prosecutors maintain Crompton
acted on her instructions and that Turenne confessed to Florida
police she set up her husband to be attacked by her lover.
During his 1996 testimony in
court, Crompton implicated Turenne in the plot to kill her husband
and even suggested she wielded the claw hammer that killed him.
Turenne has said she's ready
to stand trial, but wanted to keep the case in Canada on a reduced
charge of manslaughter.
"I'm never going to get
a fair trial down there," Turenne said after the Manitoba
Court of Appeal decision last July.
"The deck has been stacked
against me.
"But I'm not afraid to
stand trial. I'd do it tomorrow if I could. I want to clear my
name. But the trial should be held in Winnipeg."
Turenne was first ordered extradited
to Florida by Manitoba's Court of Queen's Bench in October 1999.
Her lawyers immediately appealed
the decision to both the Manitoba Court of Appeal and the federal
justice minister. The case stalled for several years until former
justice minister Martin Cauchon finally signed the extradition
order in March 2003.
The appeal was argued last
spring.
Turenne had been living in
Winnipeg with her children on bail conditions.
Winnipeg woman to be
extradited
OTTAWA (CP) - The country's
highest court refused Thursday to hear a Winnipeg woman's last-ditch
bid to avoid extradition to the United States to face a murder
charge.
The Supreme Court's dismissal
of Monique Turenne's application for leave to appeal ends an
eight-year legal fight, leaving her no choice but to return to
Florida to stand trial for the death of her husband. No reason
was given for the court's decision, as is custom with leave applications.
Lawyers had argued that sending
Turenne back to the United States would violate her charter rights.
But the Manitoba Court of Appeal
dismissed those arguments last summer, saying Turenne failed
to establish that the extradition judge erred in rejecting her
bid to stay in Canada.
Her request to have the Supreme
Court hear the case was considered a long shot because the Appeal
Court was unanimous.
Turenne was charged with first-degree
murder after her husband, Canadian Forces Maj. David Turenne,
was beaten to death outside their home in Panama City, Fla.,
in February 1996.
Ralph Crompton, who police
allege was Turenne's lover in a triangle gone wrong, was arrested
immediately after the slaying and is currently serving a life
sentence in Florida. His appeal has been denied.
Turenne has always maintained
her innocence.
Prosecutors maintain Crompton
acted on her instructions and Turenne confessed to Florida police
she set her husband up to be attacked by her lover.
During his 1996 testimony in
court, Crompton implicated Turenne in the plot to kill her husband
and even suggested she wielded the claw hammer that killed him.
Turenne has said she's ready
to stand trial, but wants to keep the case in Canada on a reduced
charge of manslaughter.
"I'm never going to get
a fair trial down there," Turenne said after the Manitoba
Court of Appeal decision last July.
"The deck has been stacked
against me.
"But I'm not afraid to
stand trial. I'd do it tomorrow if I could. I want to clear my
name. But the trial should be held in Winnipeg."
Neither Turenne nor her lawyers
were immediately available for comment.
Turenne was first ordered extradited
to Florida by Manitoba's Court of Queen's Bench in October 1999.
Her lawyers immediately appealed
the decision to both the Manitoba Court of Appeal and the federal
justice minister. The case stalled for several years until former
justice minister Martin Cauchon finally signed the extradition
order in March 2003.
The appeal was argued last
spring.
Turenne has been living in
Winnipeg with her children on bail conditions.
Monique Turenne's son's
letter to Justice Minister Cotler
October 27, 2004
The Honourable Irwin Cotler
Minister of Justice
Justice Canada
East Memorial Building
4th Floor - 284 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H8
Dear Sir:
Subject: Monique Turenne Extradition
- S.C.C. No. 30478
I am once again writing you
to request a thorough investigation of my mother's case.
As I explained in my first
letter dated August 26, 2004, the United States are abusing their
power and the extradition treaty. I understand that as long as
the United States presents a prima facie case, the extradition
should proceed. But shouldn't Canada at least investigate whether
or not the United States, or any other country for that matter,
has indeed presented such. The only way to guarantee a Canadian's
right is to oblige the requesting party to present disclosure
on any questionable issues.
I was provided with the American
definition of the Grand Jury mandate: quote "Grand Jury
proceedings are secret. Only the witnesses who testify could
reveal what happened, if they chose to. Inside the grand jury
room, the burden of proof on the government (US) is minimal -
they need merely convince a bare majority of the jurors that
there is probable cause to believe a crime has taken place. The
prosecutor may introduce hearsay, and the target (accused) and
his lawyer have no right to learn what has taken place or to
offer any refutation. It is not what you would describe as evenhanded.
" Unquote.
This so-called hearsay was
presented to the Canadian government as a prima facia case. I
seriously doubt that your predecessor, Mr. Martin Cauchon, took
the time to review Crompton's entire trial transcript that was
provided. Had he, he would most certainly have acknowledged our
arguments and proof of abuse. The International Assistance Group
most certainly did not review same either, otherwise they would
have contacted the US to advise that they have not presented
a prima facia case (although they originally accepted documents
and/or US evidence at face value).
As stated under the 'Attorney
General of Canada' website: The Attorney General does not, however,
direct or cause charges to be laid. While the Attorney General
and the Attorney General's agents may provide legal advice to
the police, the ultimate decision whether or not to lay charges
is for the police. Once the charge is laid the decision as to
whether the prosecution should proceed, and in what matter, is
for the Attorney General and the Crown Attorney. That be said,
here are my remarks:
a) Why did the Winnipeg Police
not lay charges? The answer is quite simple - their 'criminal'
actions (denying Miranda rights, threats and abuse) would have
been exposed in a Winnipeg court. I had forwarded a copy of the
letter my Grandfather sent to Chief Ewatski detailing police
misconduct. My Grandfather's claims can easily be verified. Insofar
as police abuse, I also enclosed a copy of the hospital medical
report which showed my mother had been physically abused by the
police. Insofar as my mother's alleged statement, the very fact
that a person would sign such a declaration without legal representation
should be of primary concern in this case - given the fact that
same was taken over a nine (9) hour interrogation the night prior
to the funeral. As I stated in my August 26/04 letter, I was
present the night of my step-father's murder. The Winnipeg Police
statement was rewritten by the two officers and do not represent
the true events. Furthermore, State Attorney Appleman and Detective
Mike Jones were fully aware and condone same. State Attorney
Appleman not only presented my mother's alleged police statement
to the Grand Jury but to the International Assistance Group as
well. His hypocrisy should be exposed and condemned in Canada.
b) The United States did not
present the entire trial transcript but rather only portions
of it. We had to go through channels to obtain same to further
prove that the United States are not acting in good faith. They
are just presenting portions whereby Ralph Crompton, convicted
of 1st degree murder, accuses my mother of murder. The jury did
not believe his version of events. Notably, there was no blood
found in our house or on my mother. Given Crompton's version,
my mother would have been obligated to drag the body at least
20 feet, manoeuvre same around vehicles and a large planter and
position same as well as the blood splatter. My stepfather weighed
over 195 lbs, my mother weighed 95 lbs. The United States intentionally
did not forward the entire transcript to avoid having to answer
these discrepancies as a prima facia case would not have existed.
c) Insofar as Detective Mike
Jones's affidavit whereby he states they found four (4) $25,000.00
life insurance policies in my stepfather's room (on a dresser
inside his closet), same is but another theory for the United
States. In case their 'affair theory' should fail (which my mother
can prove), the US will bring forth this second theory. Fortunately,
these London Life Insurance policies were actually held in a
portfolio which a Canadian military member found inside the filing
cabinet, gave to my mother who then handed them to the executrix.
Note that the executrix, Patrice Turenne Oscarson has had numerous
telephone conversations and correspondence with the US authorities
and was quite adamant in providing 'evidence' against my mother.
On one insurance policy, the portfolio buckle is clearly visible.
If same was loosely placed on a dresser, how do you explain the
buckle? Also note that given all the media attention, there was
never mention of these insurance policies until the first extradition
hearing. The US did not want to get caught in their deception.
Also note that Detective Mike Jones 'retired' under unusual conditions
shortly after his investigation.
The above information clearly
exposes the United States' abuse of the existing Extradition
Act. This case does affect public interest and public rights.
The United States knowingly presented a fraudulent case and unless
Canada challenges same by questioning and demanding disclosure,
another Canadian may face the same faith.
Our military members and their
families are transferred to various bases throughout the world.
Although our military members are given all rights and privileges,
their spouses and children are not given this same consideration.
Spouses and children are not offered any protection from the
Canadian government. Honestly speaking, they are actually classified
as F & E (furniture and effects). Although they are obligated
to follow their military spouses (often with much hesitation),
they are classified as temporary 'forgotten civilians' and honestly
not recognized as part of the Canadian "military structure".
Military dependents (spouses and children) should receive the
same rights and protection especially in these uncertain times.
Should my mother's case proceed in the US, I sincerely believe
that every Canadian military spouse will hesitate thereafter
in accepting to accompany their spouse out-of-country.
It goes without saying that
the USA has maintained a grudge against all countries that did
not deploy troops to support their war on terrorism. This is
very evident in Canada given the soft-lumber dispute, mad cow
fiasco, etc... The fact that Florida, its governor and the US
President have brought this up numerous times, does not reflect
well on a fair trial for the widow of a Canadian military member.
Another key point that begs the question, "Will she really
receive a fair trial?".
Insofar as witnesses and evidence
that will be brought forth at trial, you'd think that Canada
would like to hang its military "dirty laundry" on
its own turf. Although most military members were tight-lipped
and/or refused to comment on one of their own, civilians and
military spouses (including US military spouses) are quite adamant
and prepared to testify about our Canadian military members'
after-hours activities. The Canadian military has had its share
of military blunders and scandals. This case will not be any
different. I have personally witnessed abusive military drinking
(other than my step-father), disregard for marriage, drug use,
stolen property, etc... Note that certain civilians are still
talking about the wild parties which took place in Panama City
prior and during our stay. These involved senior military officers.
The US will probably thank us for withholding our troops after
hearing evidence of repeated military misconduct by military
officers.
Defence evidence which knowingly
questions the extradition request should be allowed. A military
spouse should be given the same consideration as the military
member. This should not be viewed as a privilege but as a right.
As Minister of Justice, you
have the ability to question the validity of this case. You also
have the right to exercise your power and order said trial be
held in Canada, either a civil court or military tribunal.
I sincerely hope that you will
understand my frustrations and review our evidence.
Yours sincerely,
Daniel Paille
71 Burntwood Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R2J 2Z9
CC: Assistance Attorney General
CC: Minister of National Defence
- Big defeat for Turenne
- Extradition for murder
trial in U.S. near certain after appeal fails
By Mike McIntyre, Winnipeg
Free Press, July 23rd, 2004
A stunned Monique Turenne vows
she is ready to stand trial for the murder of her husband --
a reality she likely faces after Manitoba's highest court denied
her final attempt yesterday to fight extradition to Florida.
In a unanimous decision, the
Court of Appeal cleared the way for the eight-year legal odyssey
to finally move forward by ruling that allegations of procedural
unfairness and a lack of disclosure aren't sufficient to overturn
the federal extradition order.
Turenne, who is charged with
first-degree murder, had been fighting to keep the case in Canada
on a reduced charge of manslaughter and under more lax Canadian
laws.
Florida officials have already
agreed not to pursue the death penalty, although she would face
life with no parole if convicted.
"This is ridiculous,"
Turenne told the Free Press yesterday afternoon from her Winnipeg
home. "My jaw dropped when I heard this. We're just in shock.
I'm never going to get a fair trial down there. The deck has
been stacked against me."
"But I'm not afraid to
stand trial. I'd do it tomorrow if I could. I want to clear my
name. But the trial should be held in Winnipeg."
Turenne has always maintained
her innocence in the slaying of her husband, Canadian air force
Maj. David Turenne, who was found beaten to death in the driveway
of their Panama City, Fla. bungalow in February 1996.
Police believe his killing
was the result of a love triangle gone bad.
Ralph Crompton, a retired U.S.
air force master sergeant, is serving life in prison after being
convicted of first-degree murder for his role in Turenne's death.
Police alleged Crompton and
Monique Turenne were having an affair.
During his 1996 testimony in
court, Crompton implicated Turenne in the plot to kill her husband
and even suggested she wielded the claw hammer that killed him
while he looked on.
"There never was an affair,"
Turenne said yesterday.
"And if there was an affair,
why would it be with someone like that?"
After arguing Crompton was
the principal killer, Florida prosecutors are now saying he was
simply acting on instructions from Turenne.
"The appellant is guilty
of the crime of first-degree murder... and she did herself or
did aid and assist Ralph Crompton in striking her husband repeatedly
in the head with a blunt object, therefore intentionally causing
his death," an affidavit from a Florida state attorney reads.
Turenne and her lawyers say
they can't "have it both ways" and have committed an
"abuse of process."
"Crompton... was the one
who had blood on his hands," said lawyer Anthony Dalmyn.
Her other lawyer, Greg Brodsky,
argued the extradition process has been derailed by interference
from the Canadian government.
He has been refused access
to documents pertaining to the police investigation of Turenne's
death and communication between the Manitoba, Canadian and American
governments.
Brodsky said the documents
are important because they played a role in the murder conviction
of Crompton, and sending Turenne to Florida would violate her
charter rights. He also argued the wrong charge has been laid
against his client.
"If there was an unlawful
act here, it's manslaughter," he said.
Brodsky also wanted a military
tribunal in Canada to try Turenne, but the appeal court noted
a three-year limitation period on that process expired in February
1999.
"The appellant's argument
remains one that is lacking a factual foundation. It remains
one without merit," the high court wrote yesterday.
Turenne was first ordered extradited
to Florida by Manitoba's Court of Queen's Bench in October, 1999.
Her lawyers immediately appealed
the decision to both the Manitoba Court of Appeal and then-federal
justice minister Anne McLellan.
The case stalled for several
years until former justice minister Martin Cauchon finally signed
the extradition order in March 2003.
The appeal to Manitoba's highest
court was then filed, and the case was argued this past spring.
Turenne has one final chance
by pleading with the Supreme Court of Canada to hear the case.
The move is considered a long shot because Manitoba's appeal
court was unanimous.
"I'm staying optimistic,
and I'm not giving up," said Turenne.
Brodsky said yesterday he will
file a motion seeking leave to appeal and expects an answer by
the end of the year.
Turenne has been living in
the city with her children on bail conditions Brodsky expects
will be allowed to continue.
mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca
© 2004 Winnipeg Free
Press. All Rights Reserved.
Manitoba woman can't
block extradition
July 22, 2004
WINNIPEG (CP) - Manitoba's
highest court has denied a bid by a woman accused in the death
of her husband to avoid extradition to face the charge.
Lawyers for Monique Turenne
had argued that sending her to Florida to stand trial would violate
her charter rights. But the Manitoba Court of Appeal dismissed
those arguments in a written judgment Thursday. "She has
failed to establish that the extradition judge committed error
in her assessment of the facts or application of the law,"
the panel of three judges wrote.
Turenne was charged with first-degree
murder after her husband, Canadian Forces Maj. David Turenne,
was beaten to death outside their home in Panama City, Fla.,
in February 1996.
Her lover, Ralph Crompton,
was arrested immediately after the slaying and is currently serving
a life sentence in Florida. His appeal has been denied.
Turenne's lawyers wanted the
appeal court to also stay a judicial review by the federal attorney
general that supported extradition. The judges dismissed that
argument as well.
"She has not shown that
the minister violated her constitutional rights or otherwise
erred in law, denied her procedural fairness, acted arbitrarily,
in bad faith or for improper motives, or that his decision is
plainly unreasonable," the judgment said.
Florida prosecutors maintain
that Crompton acted on Turenne's instructions.
In 1999 a Court of Queen's
Bench judge ruled that at the very least a case of manslaughter
could be made against her.
She initially denied any involvement
but later confessed to Florida police she set her husband up
to be attacked by her lover.
During his
1996 testimony in court, Crompton implicated Turenne in the plot
to kill her husband and even suggested she wielded the claw hammer
that killed him.
injusticebusters note:
Once again,
the press is stating that Monique Turenne confessed to the Florida
police. This is a defamatory lie. Monique Turenne has consistently
maintained her innocence and was thoroughly investigated by the
Florida police before she was allowed to return to Canada.
Extradition violates
charter rights: lawyer
- Murder charge faces
Turenne in Florida
Winnipeg Free Press, May
27th, 2004
Lawyers for Monique Turenne
argued yesterday that extraditing her to Florida to face a murder
charge violates her charter rights.
They want the Manitoba Court
of Appeal to stay both a lower court ruling and a judicial review
by the federal attorney general that supported extradition.
Turenne is charged with first-degree
murder after her husband, Canadian Forces Maj. David Turenne,
was beaten to death outside their Panama City, Fla., home in
February 1996.
Her ex-lover, Ralph Crompton,
was arrested immediately after the slaying and is currently serving
a life sentence in Florida. His appeal has been denied.
"Florida clearly pursued
Crompton as the principal," Turenne's lawyer, Anthony Dalmyn,
told the court. "He was the one who had blood on his hands."
But Dalmyn said Florida prosecutors
are now saying that Crompton was acting on instructions of his
client -- essentially trying to have it both ways.
"That's an abuse of process,"
Dalmyn said.
In 1999, a Court of Queen's
Bench ruled that at the very least a case of manslaughter could
be made against Monique Turenne.
Turenne was ordered extradited
to Florida by Manitoba's Court of Queen's Bench in October 1999.
Her lawyers immediately appealed the decision to both Manitoba
Court of Appeal and then-federal justice minister Anne McLellan.
Former justice minister Martin Cauchon finally signed the extradition
order in March 2003.
Turenne initially denied any
involvement but later confessed to Florida police she set her
husband up to be attacked by Crompton.
During his 1996 testimony in
court, Crompton implicated Monique Turenne in the plot to kill
her husband and even suggested she wielded the claw hammer which
killed him.
A defence motion for access
to documents pertaining to the police investigation and communication
between various governments was turned down last week.
Arguments before the court
of appeal are expected to wrap up today.
Lawyer argues against
extraditing murder suspect to Panhandle
Associated Press, May. 26,
2004
WINNIPEG, Manitoba -Extraditing
a Canadian woman to Florida to face a murder charge in the death
of her husband would violate her charter rights, lawyers argued
Wednesday.
They want the Manitoba Court
of Appeal to block a lower court ruling and reverse a judicial
review by the federal attorney general that supported the extradition
of Monique Turenne, 47, of Winnipeg.
She was charged with first-degree
murder after her husband, Canadian air force Maj. David Turenne,
42, was beaten to death outside their Panama City, Fla., home
in February 1996. He was stationed at nearby Tyndall Air Force
Base with the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).
Monique Turenne's former lover,
retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Ralph Crompton, was convicted
of first-degree murder and is serving a life sentence.
Turenne initially denied any
involvement but later confessed to Florida police she set up
her husband to be attacked by Crompton.
"Florida clearly pursued
Crompton as the principal," defense lawyer Anthony Dalmyn
told the high court. "He was the one who had blood on his
hands."
Prosecutors, however, now are
saying Crompton acted on instructions from Turenne, Dalmyn said.
"That's an abuse of process,"
he said.
In 1999 a Court of Queen's
Bench ruled that a manslaughter case - not murder - could be
made against Turenne.
During his 1996 testimony in
court, Crompton implicated Turenne in the plot to kill her husband
and suggested she wielded the claw hammer used to kill him.
Turenne is not in custody.
Arguments are expected to wrap up Thursday.
© 2004 AP Wire and wire
service sources. All Rights Reserved.
http://www.miami.com
-
- Extradition hearing
set for wife of Canadian slain in Panhandle
Associated Press, May. 19,
2004
PANAMA CITY, Fla. -An extradition
hearing is set next week in Canada for a woman charged with killing
her husband, a Canadian air force officer, eight years ago in
the Florida Panhandle.
Lawyers for Monique Turenne
beginning next Wednesday will ask a three-judge panel in Winnipeg
to block an extradition ordered approved by a Canadian minister
of justice last year, said Karen Fulham, a spokeswoman for the
Manitoba Court of Appeals.
The 47-year-old Canadian woman
is charged with the beating death of Maj. David Turenne, 42,
outside their Panama City home Feb. 9, 1996. He was a software
support supervisor for a North American Aerospace Defense Command
(NORAD) unit at nearby Tyndall Air Force Base.
Monique Turenne returned to
Canada before she was indicted. Her boyfriend, retired U.S. Air
Force Master Sgt. Ralph Crompton, 49, was convicted of first-degree
murder and sentenced to life in prison for his part in the killing.
Crompton admitted he fought
with David Turenne but testified the victim was still alive when
he left the scene. He denied wielding a hammer allegedly used
to inflict the fatal blows.
In papers filed with the appeal
court, defense lawyer G. Greg Brodsky argues Crompton's testimony
suggesting his client struck her husband was "manifestly
unreliable" and insufficient to support extradition.
If the appeal court affirms
extradition, Turenne could make a final appeal the Canadian Supreme
Court. Canadian authorities considered extradition only after
Florida prosecutors agreed not to seek a death sentence.
The appeal court Monday dismissed
a defense motion to let Canadian military police officer Pierre
Raymond testify about his investigation into the death. Another
defense lawyer, Anthony Dalmyn, had argued the Canadian military
had the primary right under international law to prosecute Monique
Turenne.
---
Information from: The News
Herald, http://www.newsherald.com
- Monique Turenne:
Canadian woman indicted for murder by secret Florida grand jury
is fighting to prove her innocence at a fair trial in Canada
-
- Her murdered
husband was a Canadian soldier. After a full investigation the
military let Monique and her two children return to Canada.
-
- Then, the
man who was convicted of the murder, tied to the case with DNA
evidence, decided to create a story that he had been having an
affair with the widow and that she did the deed. Ralph Crompton
had already lied under oath at least 40 times. The implication
of Monique was a transparent ploy to avoid the death penalty.
-
- It remains
to be seen who asked Winnipeg cop Loren Schinkel to look into the matter.
He and his partner, Jim Thiessen, took Monique Turenne from her
house just before midnight, the night before her husband's funeral.
They held her and interrogated her for nine hours.
-
- The interview
was not taped. Monique Turenne did not "confess". It
was only through her own investigation that she learned a forged
9 page "confession", neatly typed and accompanied by
a signed affidavit attesting to its truth, had been presented
to a Grand Jury in Florida. On the basis of this falsified document,
Monique Tuenne was ordered extradited to stand trial in Florida.
-
- On May 25,
her lawyer, Greg Brodsky, will appeal to a federal court in Winnipeg
for the release of the secret documents on which the government
relied when it ordered her extradition. On May 17, a court refused
to order the release of any of these documents.
-
-
- Motion in Turenne case
rejected
- Means extradition appeal
will still be heard next week
By Mike McIntyre, Winnipeg
Free Press, May 18th, 2004
THERE is light at the end of
the tunnel for a Winnipeg woman awaiting extradition to Florida
on charges she murdered her husband in 1996.
Manitoba's highest court rejected
a defence motion yesterday that would have further delayed the
start of Monique Turenne's appeal of the extradition order, set
for next week.
Turenne has denied any role
in the murder of her husband, Canadian air force Maj. David Turenne,
who was found beaten to death in the driveway of their Panama
City, Fla. bungalow on Feb. 9, 1996. Turenne was ordered extradited
to Florida by Manitoba's Court of Queen's Bench in October 1999.
Her lawyers immediately appealed the decision to both Manitoba
Court of Appeal and then-federal justice minister Anne McLellan.
Former justice minister Martin Cauchon finally signed the extradition
order in March 2003.
Her defence lawyer, Greg Brodsky,
has been refused access to documents pertaining to the police
investigation of Turenne's death and communication between the
Manitoba, Canadian and American governments. The motion turned
down yesterday was for access to the documents. They are important
because Brodsky believes they played a role in the murder conviction
of another man in the killing.
Ralph Crompton, who was described
as Turenne's lover, is serving life in prison for first-degree
murder.
Turenne's appeal is to be heard
May 26-28.
mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca
-
- Court denies release
of papers in Turenne case
- Defence lawyer calls
it a setback
Winnipeg Free Press, Alexandra
Paul, February 19th, 2004
A Court of Appeal ruling yesterday
that denied a defence motion to release key documents in the
Monique Turenne case is a definite setback, her lawyer said yesterday.
Turenne is a Winnipeg woman
awaiting extradition to Florida on charges she murdered her husband
in 1996.
Defence lawyer Greg Brodsky
said he will now have to argue for the release of documents denied
in the motion during the main appeal of her extradition.
"Now we'll have to set
a date in the Court of Appeal to have the appeal heard,"
Brodsky said.
Turenne is expected to remain
in Winnipeg while her case makes its way through the province's
highest court.
Turenne has denied any role
in the murder of her husband, Canadian air force Maj. David Turenne,
who was found beaten to death in the driveway of their Panama
City, Fla. bungalow on Feb. 9, 1996.
Turenne was ordered extradited
to Florida by Manitoba's Court of Queen's Bench in October, 1999.
Her lawyers immediately appealed
the decision to both Manitoba Court of Appeal and then-federal
justice minister Anne McLellan.
Former justice minister Martin
Cauchon finally signed the extradition order last March.
Her defence lawyer countered
by vowing to appeal her extradition.
Brodsky also charged the appeal
process had been derailed by interference from the Canadian government.
He said he has been refused access to documents pertaining to
the police investigation of Turenne's death and communication
between the Manitoba, Canadian and American governments.
The motion turned down yesterday
was for access to the documents.
They are important because
Brodsky believes they played a role in the murder conviction
of another man in the killing.
Ralph Crompton, a retired U.S.
air force master sergeant who was described as Turenne's lover,
is serving life in prison for first-degree murder in the Canadian
officer's death.
Brodsky said Turenne is willing
to face charges in her husband's death but she wants to be tried
under Canadian, not Florida, law.
"We're not trying to avoid
her being tried. We think she should be tried here and if Florida
doesn't want to say to the (federal justice) minister here is
the case we have against her, we think that is all the more reason
to be suspicious," he said.
alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca
Court rules against woman
facing U.S. murder charge
Winnipeg CBC, Feb 19, 2004
WINNIPEG -A Winnipeg woman
has lost another court battle in her attempt to avoid extradition
to the United States on a murder charge.
Monique Turenne has been ordered
to stand trial in Florida for the death of her husband, David,
who was killed outside the couple's Florida home in 1996.
David Turenne was on a military
exchange in the U.S. when he was killed. Last spring, the federal
justice minister ruled Monique Turenne could be extradited to
face charges in her husband's death.
Monique Turenne had gone to
court to get access to the information used by the minister to
make his ruling, but the Manitoba Court of Appeal has denied
her that.
Turenne will still file an
appeal without the information.
Ralph Compton is already serving
time for the killing of David Turenne. Compton claims he and
Monique Turenne were lovers and she helped plan the killing.
Turenne denies both claims.
- Legal knots tie up Turenne
case
- Woman awaits extradition
to U.S.
Mike McIntyre, Winnipeg
Free Press, February 12th, 2004
THE seemingly never-ending
case of a Winnipeg woman awaiting extradition to Florida on charges
she murdered her husband in 1996 has been delayed again in a
Manitoba courtroom.
Lawyers for Monique Turenne
argued a motion yesterday before the Court of Appeal, claiming
the federal Justice Department has repeatedly refused to hand
over key documents involving an appeal of her case.
They claim the appeal can't
properly be made until they receive the material that Canada's
justice minister used to sign off on an extradition order.
The province's highest court
reserved its decision and gave no indication of when it would
be ready.
Turenne has denied any role
in the murder of her husband, Canadian air force Maj. David Turenne,
who was found beaten to death in the driveway of their Panama
City, Fla., bungalow on Feb. 9, 1996.
Turenne was ordered extradited
to Florida by Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench in October 1999.
Her lawyers immediately appealed the decision to both Manitoba
Court of Appeal and then-federal justice minister Anne McLellan.
Former justice minister Martin
Cauchon finally signed the extradition order last March.
Appeal
Turenne's lawyers said they
would move immediately to appeal both Cauchon's decision and
the original extradition order to Manitoba Court of Appeal.
But defence lawyer Greg Brodsky
said the appeal process has been derailed by interference from
the Canadian government.
He has been refused access
to certain documents pertaining to the police investigation of
Turenne's death and communication between the Manitoba, Canadian
and American governments, according to his motion.
Brodsky says the federal Justice
Department should have assumed jurisdiction for the case because
the victim was a member of the Canadian military and because
his wife was charged with the crime. He demanded Turenne be tried
in Canada, an assertion Cauchon rejected.
mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca
Extradition order
signed for Winnipeg woman
Winnipeg CBC, Mar 5, 2003
WINNIPEG -A Winnipeg woman
says she's glad the federal justice minister has ordered her
extradition. Monique Turenne is accused of murdering her husband
while living in Florida seven years ago.
She believes an appeal of the extradition order will allow her
to clear her name. "Finally! Finally. Now what's the next
step?" Turenne told CBC.
David Turenne was found bludgeoned
to death in Panama City, Florida seven years ago. A man named
Ralph Crompton is already serving a sentence for first-degree
murder in his death. Crompton claims to have been Monique Turenne's
lover. The Winnipeg woman denies this.
Turenne also claims the delays
have kept her from proving she's innocent.
"We didn't stall this.
The minister of justice basically had the file for four years.
Why didn't he make a decision before now?"
Jim Appleman, the Florida prosecutor
who convicted Crompton, says if Turenne has concerns about a
fair trial, there are laws to protect her.
"One of the things that
is available in this particular area is that fact that if there's
been too much pre-trial publicity concerning the case, the judge
has the right to move the case to another area in Florida where
there has been no publicity."
Florida has given assurances
it will not seek the death penalty. In the meantime, Turenne's
lawyer, Greg Brodsky, says he will appeal the decision to extradite
his client.
|
Truth can never be told so as to be
understood, and not be believ'd. William
Blake, The
Proverbs of Hell
Monique Turenne: the
headlines
