TRIAL BY ORDEAL A Case History

Softcover. On January 27, 1982, the author and her husband, Wally Matz, were arrested at their Winnipeg home and charged with attempted murder, arson, fraud and theft - a combined number of 56 charges. It was not until September 23, 1986, almost 5yrs later, that the author was acquitted on the last 3 counts; all other charges had been dismissed prior to that date because of a complete lack of evidence. The last 3 charges were based on the "evidence" of self-confessed arsonists who had set fire to their own property but were given immunity from prosecution for passing the blame on to the author and her husband. Mr Justice Scollin, in his decision, said that these witnesses were characters of such disrepute that no one should be convicted on their evidence. In her husband's case, only 14 counts went to trial and on June 30, 1987, all but 6 of these charges were dismissed for lack of evidence. The remaining 6 counts were being appealed. In this book the author is attempting to put people back into the system. Throughout the arduous proceedings, she became acutely aware of the way the criminal court process dehumanised people. It dealt with cases, not people. This was particularly true where she and her husband were concerned, because it was a major strategy of the Crown to reduce them to objects of ridicule and derision. This was accomplished by fostering front-page news through press releases; by name-calling and mudslinging on the part of both the Crown attorneys and their witnesses, and by inciting witnesses to hatred against them. The author's 11yr old daughter at the time of the media coverage about their arrest said: "When will the papers print our side of the story?" The answer was, not for a long time, maybe never. The author therefore felt she owed it to her children and to herself and her husband, and to the public, to set the record straight. Illus. 246pp. trade size softcover. From the library of true crime writer, Wilfred Gregg, with his personal b/plate. Faded sp. with sl. damage to lower part. Vg.