Overlawyered: Chronicling The High Cost Of Our Legal System

“All it takes is one false allegation … I sit here as proof of that”

Harrowing story of Brian Leckie, an Ontario therapist and crisis counselor cleared on charges of sexual assault; the legal fees ate up his life savings, and there’s nowhere he can turn to get his good name back. “Only the ER nurses seemed to give me the benefit of the doubt, because they’ve seen it. They’ve seen the lies and the accusations that come through emergency rooms. They see it all the time.” Meanwhile, the two accusers whose charges a judge found to have “no credible” basis cannot even be named in the press because of a publication ban [Mark Bonokoski, “Justice for an innocent man”, Toronto Sun, May 4, via Amy Alkon]

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6 Comments

  • At least in this country, there would have been a much greater chance of his accusers being publicly disclosed especially in the civil suit.

    • By Doug

  • I don’t think there is every anything to be gained by naming names. Maybe we later learn there was a valid basis – that we got it wrong that we got it wrong. Why not just avoid naming names in the first place at least until a civil or criminal process plays itself out? Now it if is John Edwards or a real public figure, that is one thing. But we should not know Brian Leckie’s name or his accusers.

  • Apparently the Duke Lacrosse Hoax news didn’t make its way up to Canada. I would hope these two false accusers get to spend some time in prison, but like Crystal, they’ll probably get a slap on the wrist. Maybe these two can write a book and try to sell their story too?

    • By Tom

  • yes, we should know who they are. Any bets if they will try it again? Such things go to veracity. Ever heard of the boy who cried wolf? Should not make things up, makes it much harder when it does happen. You may not be able to stop the bad things, but being able to have people believe you is all you really have.

    • By Doug

  • I guess in Canada it is OK to file a false police report, bring a merit less law suit, and as a reward, have the court protect your identity. Another reason I’m glad I’m not Canadian.

  • Yes, David. Be glad you live where legal absurdities have been expunged from society.

    Say, have you read the rest of this website?