Toronto lawyer “The trial judge used a publication ban to hide sustainably bias findings- comments on Ottawa police human trafficking divisions investigation on Juteah Downey
In the Juteah Downey case, a publication ban reportedly played a significant role in concealing findings that raised concerns of judicial bias. The trial, which focused on Downey’s involvement in human trafficking, faced controversy due to perceived bias in the judge’s handling of evidence and interpretation of testimonies. Observers noted that the judge’s commentary appeared to minimize the systemic racism elements and overlooked potentially mitigating circumstances involving Downey. Critics argue that the publication ban prevented transparency around these findings, making it difficult for the public to scrutinize the proceedings fully.
Supporters of Downey’s defense believe that the publication ban shielded elements of judicial bias from public view, particularly where the judge’s rulings seemingly reinforced stereotypes rather than addressing possible institutional bias. The Canadian Judicial Council has since been urged to address these concerns more directly, as many feel that issues of racial discrimination within the justice system were insufficiently acknowledged in this case.
Here are some examples of witness testimony completely ignored by the trial judge in the Juteah Downey case.
Here are some important witness testimony that was ignored in the Juteah Downey case.
page 85 (2128)- I believe Gigi had permission to keep her money (ST)
Page 27 – He told me to only do what’s comfortable to me (PC)
page 29 tab 24 (may 17)- The main reason he asked goals is to know what your paying %100 for, what he can provide for you. And id anything else is not in line with your goals or its not what you stated in the beginning its not up to him to provide. Like if you wanted a house, car, he be like “that’s not our original agreement” you said you wanted as laptop and go to school. (PC)
Page 87 tab 25 (451)- School was over 5,000 i only had 1,000 left to pay school (PC)
page 43- I sold clothing (PC)
page 44- me and Amber loved road trips (PC)
page 278- the rule was no sex talk (PC)
page 73-90-(ST)I had the option to give 100% or 30%,
-I never asked to change the arrangement
-I preferred to give 100% i hated dealing with money
-I didn’t want gifts and benefits
-I felt i didn’t deserve shopping trips
-I rather the money made go to the other girls
page 90- I agree that there is no proof of him texting me that I have a client (ST)
page 114(2022) sometimes 3 to 4 days I would have zero clients (ST)
page 33(1178)- when him and I were hanging together alone it was like normal life , it was normal life, it wasn’t like I was an escort(MM)
Tab 20- trinity was whining- like she’s supposed to have so much money but she’s not working. Like without Preston’s attention she’d be crying, she didn’t want to make money, like she’s looking like its up to everyone else to make money but she needs to go on her own and do it. (MM)
page 43 (1188)- Trinity she never works she pays rent at two places and she pouts and sleeps all day because she’s not getting Preston’s attention. (MM)
page 59(928)- Ya, which I did as in control, no one was controlling me (PG)
page 59(935)- I didn’t give Downey a 100% of my income (PG)
page 84- I was told the crown helped with helping me getting my immigration. (PC)
page 87(451)- and I’m a immigrant here, so i thought my only option was to give them what they wanted to hear, so this is , they can leave me alone. (PC)
page 45( Downey to MM)- “And stop telling people your loyal, your the most un loyal human I’ve met no lie”
page 40-(124)- I’ve always felt depressed and suicidal, but during the time of 2 years with Preston i didn’t feel depressed (PC)
Question Lalonde-when you became a 100% did you have an understanding that you would get regular pay?
Answer MM- No, I didn’t really talk about that
page 14- Misty was the one who told me about the good life (MM)
page 42- me and Damien went to my house to talk, I never worked at the Murry house (MM)
page 43- I don’t want to talk about my private conversations with officer Damien (MM)
page 46- I’m not recalling what your saying, I have nothing further to say about Mr. Damien, I don’t remember (MM)
page 47- me and Damien’s chat’s were private, I’m not telling the court about our private chats (MM)
page 72(1622)- I was thanking Preston for finding me an Acura because I told him that’s what kind of car I wanted (MM)
page 29 (may 21)-I loved going to Windsor, I used beg him so we could always go (PC)
page 69(1838)- “I don’t want you to escort either” (PRESTON)
page 69(1868)- when he was thinking about opening a spa, he did mention that he didn’t want his girls to escort anymore (ST)
page 69- No one told me to do that , sex at the spa (ST)
QUESTION-where did you get your direction, to provide sexual services at the spa? like who told you to do that?
ANSWER- No one really told me to do that, i assumed it was it didn’t need to be said outload it was an understanding without words(ST)
page 73(1738)- QUESTION: How often was fast food ordered?
ANSWER:- A lot (ST)
page 94(1759) (march 15th)- I remember him telling me that he didn’t want his girls to have to escort anymore if they didn’t want to, he wanted to focus on the spa, he thought that was a better place for us. (PC)
page 33(march 15 2022)- I did not tell Jamie i was desperate and venerable(ST)
page 68- Preston had a lot of phones on him and i wanted to see if he was Jamie the dispatcher, so i text Jamie and none of his phones lit up (ST)
(Special investigator)- there is no way to tell by looking at these documents that any of these ads posted were escort ads
it is submitted that the justice Somji ignored all favorable evidence to the accused, to secure a human trafficking conviction for the prosecution
