‘I trusted the system to handle it’: N.L. justice department mum on cases tossed due to delays

A man named Colby Leamon lost a close family member in 2021 and was in need of emotional support. Living alone as a student, he decided that getting a dog would provide him with the companionship and comfort he needed during this difficult time. After coming across what he believed to be a legitimate offer online, Leamon spent “a few thousand” dollars to purchase a dog, only to never receive the animal.

Leamon soon discovered that he was not the only victim of this scam. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) launched an investigation and eventually filed fraud charges against a man and woman living in eastern Newfoundland. In total, there were 23 victims named in court documents related to the case.

However, to Leamon’s dismay, the case took a surprising turn in early January of this year. Lawyers for the accused individuals filed a Jordan application, arguing that the trial had taken too long to get to court. As a result, the prosecutor decided to call no evidence, and all 23 fraud charges were withdrawn.

Leamon, like many other victims, was not informed of this development and only learned about the dropped charges when contacted by CBC News nearly two months later. Feeling frustrated and disappointed, he expressed his shock at the lack of communication and transparency throughout the legal process.

The Department of Justice in Newfoundland and Labrador has not provided any further information or data regarding Jordan applications and their outcomes. Despite multiple requests for interviews, the department has remained silent on the matter.

CBC News conducted its own investigation and found an unusual spike in Jordan applications in the province in recent months. In one month alone, 10 individuals saw their charges dropped due to trial delays, including cases involving illegal hunting, impaired driving, and a puppy scam.

While some Jordan applications were unsuccessful, others resulted in charges being dismissed for various reasons. The lack of transparency and communication surrounding these cases has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the justice system in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In response to these issues, Justice Minister Bernard Davis announced plans to hire 18 new prosecutors over the next three years to address overwhelming workloads. However, the lack of information and accountability regarding Jordan applications continues to be a point of contention for many individuals affected by delays in the legal system.

As the province grapples with these challenges, victims like Colby Leamon are left wondering how many others have been left in the dark about the status of their cases. The need for increased transparency and accountability within the justice system remains a pressing issue for those seeking closure and justice in their legal proceedings.