The DPCP will not appeal the acquittal of Tom Harding

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David Prince

Friday, 16 February 2018 15:02

UPDATE
Friday, 16 February 2018 15:07

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LAC-MÉGANTIC | The Director of criminal and penal prosecutions will not appeal the acquittal of the three ex-employees of MMA.

The ex-train driver Tom Harding, ex-controller rail Richard Labrie, and the ex-director of operations Jean Demaitre were acquitted on January 19 of 47 charges of criminal negligence causing death that weighed on them after the explosion, July 6, 2013, in Lac-Mégantic, a train which they had responsibility.

The trial of the three men had lasted more than three months, during which the Crown had shown that Tom Harding had not tight enough hand brakes, and had not done the compliance test before letting his train to Nantes.

A fire was later reported in the locomotive, before the train descends to Lac-Mégantic.

The DPCP had heard phone conversations where Richard Labrie said Tom Harding not to go back to see the train after the fire in the locomotive. The Crown was alleged that Labrie and Demaitre not to be informed of the number of brakes tightened by Harding.

During the trial, the judge had described as “weak” the evidence of the Crown, in the absence of the jury.

The jury had deliberated nine days before paying the three former employees.

Since then, Harding and Demaitre have been convicted of criminal offences relating to rail safety. Demaitre will have to pay a $ 50,000 fine, while Harding served six-month prison sentence in the community. Richard Labrie was acquitted.