US Exiles Sex Offender to Canada

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 11:09 pm

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The Canadian government said on Tuesday it was most unhappy that a U.S. judge had sentenced a sex offender to a three-year term of "exile" in Canada rather than a jail sentence at home.

The New York state judge accepted a proposal from former teacher Malcolm Watson, 35 -- convicted of having sex with a 15-year-old girl -- that he be allowed to live in Canada on probation and not spend time in a U.S. jail.

Watson, a U.S. citizen, lives in the town of Fort Erie, Ontario, with his wife and children. He had commuted to work at a girls' school in nearby Buffalo, New York.

The U.S. judge ruled Watson can return to the United States only to report to his parole officer.

"I was infuriated to see an American court decision deporting an American citizen back to my constituency," said government minister Rob Nicholson, who represents the electoral district in southern Ontario near Niagara Falls where Fort Erie is located.

Canadian officials are looking into whether they can deport Watson, who has permission to live and work in Canada.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty called on Ottawa on Tuesday to have the U.S. decision overturned.

"I hope that we are of one mind in this regard so that we don't become some kind of a dumping ground for convicted offenders," McGuinty told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.

"It's obviously not the kind of precedent that we want to allow the Americans to establish and it's not the kind of thing we're prepared to accept," he said.

A U.S. embassy spokesman in Ottawa said he could not comment on the case.

U.S. authorities say Watson's relationship with the 15-year-old was consensual. The age of consent in Canada is 14, compared with 17 in New York state.

However, the age of consent in Canada rises to 18 if the sex takes place within a relationship of trust or dependency -- such as between a teacher and student.

Okay, this isn't the first boneheaded decision ever made by a judge, but really WTF? Are you trying to piss us off?

Caz · Post by **Caz** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 1:21 am

Um... and the Canadian government was okay with this...? What the christ?

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 1:49 am

No. They are trying to find a way to deport him, but he was already legally living in Canada.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 6:04 am

We should totally exile that judge to Canada or some shit.

No, wait...

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 6:42 am

In a sane world this sort of thing would involve an understanding between both governments rather than typical yankee unilateralism. From that perspective it's important that this not set an ugly precedent. That said, it's not like he's a violent or real sex offender.

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:31 am

I have but one thing to say...

What the fuck? Exile to CANADA!?

"You sir are henceforeth BANISHE'D to the land of Canada, for a period of no less than three years. On pain of prison rape! Throw him to the floor, and then take him away!"

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 12:26 pm

We should not exile our fucking problems anywhere. I want an investigation into this judge, he was clearly smoking something. Worse this was the offenders idea! Of course he rather live in Canada then go to prison, but who fucking cares what he rather do? He broke the law, he should to jail. Not to a nice clean place like Canada.

I can only say I'm deeply sorry to the Canadain members of our board, but parts of our government have clearly gone off the deep end and ain't coming back.

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:32 pm

On a side note, I want to know how much the defense paid that judge. Sorry, but no one who goes to law school and gets to be a judge is THAT stupid unless they are paid.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:35 pm

Sorry, but no one who goes to law school and gets to be a judge is THAT stupid unless they are paid.

Are you kidding? We live in a Republic where the Supreme Court thinks the Founding Father's meant to give my city government the right to take my house and build a Pizza Hut for higher tax revenue.

Then there's Congress and Hapeus Courpes. Like I said parts of the government have gone off the deep end and they ain't coming back.

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:41 pm

True. But come on, there is some leeway where you can understand where a court may be coming from with the eminent domain ruling. It was wrong to be sure. But the predictable people voted in the predictable way.

With this... no... There is no rationale for this that makes ANY sense other than bribery.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:55 pm

You know me man. Do you honestly think I'm giving anyone, Supreme Court Justice or Representive or Senator any leeway over this?

Comrade Tortoise · Post by **Comrade Tortoise** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 12:54 am

I know I know. But while those hairbrained decisions had SOME logic behind them.. this one doesnt...

Stofsk · Post by **Stofsk** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:24 am

Like I said, this just doesn't make sense. How do you exile someone to another country without that other country's approval? If there was an arrangement everybody can agree too there wouldn't be a news story, though.

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:32 am

If the Canadain border guards throw him back into the States I swear to God I will cheer. Stand up and applaund I will.

Cynical Cat · Post by **Cynical Cat** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:43 am

Stofsk wrote:Like I said, this just doesn't make sense. How do you exile someone to another country without that other country's approval? If there was an arrangement everybody can agree too there wouldn't be a news story, though.

Well, he lives in Canada, but works and committed the crime in the states so he's already here. We are trying to deport his ass, but I don't know how well that will work out.

Caz · Post by **Caz** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 12:00 am

Cynical Cat wrote:
Stofsk wrote:Like I said, this just doesn't make sense. How do you exile someone to another country without that other country's approval? If there was an arrangement everybody can agree too there wouldn't be a news story, though.
Well, he lives in Canada, but works and committed the crime in the states so he's already here. We are trying to deport his ass, but I don't know how well that will work out.

Just drive up to wherever he's staying, conk him over the head, stick him in your trunk, drive down to Mexico, and leave him there.

Everyone wins.

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 1:39 pm

Except for Mexico, thanks.

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