The author and lawyer Joan McEwen discusses her book, Innocence on Trial: The Framing of Ivan Henry (Heritage, 2014), with Joseph Planta.

Innocence on Trial: The Framing of Ivan Henry by Joan McEwen (Heritage, 2014). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Innocence on Trial

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

The Ivan Henry case has been making news in recent days, as the Supreme Court of Canada heard arguments in a case where Mr. Henry’s lawyers argued his Charter rights were violated during a trial more than 30 years ago that resulted in his spending 27 years in prison. In 1982, Ivan Henry had been detained by Vancouver Police an accused of being the ‘rip-off rapist.’ He was charged, tried, and found guilty of ten charges of sexual assault. He defended himself in court, and claimed there was a conspiracy against him. Throughout his nearly 30 years in prison, he maintained his innocence, and in 2010 after a review by a special prosecutor, he was acquitted and released from prison. However he’s still trying to clear his name, as he’s been fighting for compensation. Joan McEwen has recently published a book: Innocence on Trial: The Framing of Ivan Henry. It’s a compelling book, meticulously researched offering an overview of how the investigation into these sexual assaults was bungled, and how the criminal justice system failed Ivan Henry. Joan McEwen is a lawyer and arbitrator in Vancouver, and has spent much time helping those who’ve been wrongfully convicted in their effort to be exonerated and compensated. I’ll get her to talk about Ivan Henry, the trials ahead, and this case that’s taken much from Ivan Henry, his family, not to mention those who were victimised 32 years ago. The website for more is at www.joanmcewen.com. The book is published by Heritage House. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Joan McEwen; Ms. McEwen, good morning.

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