Man convicted of murdering Edmonton woman in 1987 granted bail
After more than three decades behind bars, Roy Allan Sobotiak has been granted bail following the quashing of his conviction for the murder of Susan Kaminsky by the federal justice minister. Kaminsky, an Edmonton mother of two, went missing in 1987, and her body has never been found. Sobotiak was convicted of second-degree murder in 1991 and sentenced to life imprisonment with no eligibility for parole for 16½ years.
During a hearing in Edmonton’s Court of King’s Bench, Justice Eric Macklin granted Sobotiak bail, stating that he is considered legally innocent and must be released. Sobotiak, now 61 years old, will be released into a sober living house in Fort McMurray and will be subject to conditions including a curfew and electronic monitoring for three months.
Despite concerns raised by the Crown regarding Sobotiak’s potential risk to public safety, Macklin expressed confidence in his ability to safely transition out of custody. Sobotiak’s legal team from Innocence Canada argued for his release, highlighting the flaws in his previous case that led to the quashing of his conviction.
The case of Susan Kaminsky’s disappearance and murder has been a long and convoluted one, with contradictory evidence and accounts presented in court. Sobotiak has maintained his innocence throughout his imprisonment, despite confessing to the murder during a police interrogation. His case has been riddled with issues of non-disclosure, forensic testing, and forensic results that have raised doubts about his guilt.
The decision to grant Sobotiak bail comes after a new trial was ordered by the federal justice minister due to new information that was not presented during his original trial. The Alberta Attorney General has contested this decision, leading to a rare legal battle between federal and provincial authorities.
As Sobotiak prepares to leave prison after more than three decades, the case of Susan Kaminsky’s disappearance remains unsolved, with her body never being found. The circumstances surrounding this case have been complex and contentious, with conflicting reports about Sobotiak’s character and behavior during his time in prison.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties ahead, Sobotiak is determined to prove his innocence and rebuild his life outside of prison. The road to justice for both him and the family of Susan Kaminsky is likely to be a long and difficult one, but with the support of his legal team and advocates, Sobotiak is hopeful for a brighter future.
