deadmonton 2006 - stefan william conley

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Stefan William Conley, 35, was beaten to death on an Edmonton Transit bus on March 2nd, 2006.


Four young offenders were each charged with manslaughter. A judge warned the teens they could be sentenced as adults if convicted.


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Global Edmonton image
Global Edmonton image

As Edmonton Transit bus Route 74 was winding its way through Mill Woods near Edmonton's Research Park on the evening of March 2nd, 2006 it was carrying up to fifteen passengers and its driver, Merle Ludwig.


When the bus reached 95th Street and 20th Avenue at about 8:55 p.m., four white male passengers, described as ranging in age from sixteen to twenty, swarmed a man at the back of the bus and attacked him. He was beaten until he was left bleeding and not breathing.


Driver Ludwig had told the youths to "quiet down" to which a passenger added "shut up." It was then the four teens attacked the passenger and kicked him repeatedly in the head.


Ludwig pulled the vehicle over and the youths shouted "Sorry about that" before sauntering off the bus heading west toward Gateway Boulevard. The driver had opened the bus doors in accordance with policy and several passengers also disembarked.


The driver called for police and an ambulance. Firefighters and ambulance crews were first on the scene and they notified police that a 35-year-old man was in "extremely critical condition."


Stefan William Conley

The victim, later identified as Stefan William Conley, was taken to the University of Alberta hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival, with death resulting from blunt force trauma to the head.


Police arrived, secured the back of the bus with crime scene tape, and interviewed up to ten witnesses. Search dogs were brought in to scour the area, checking nearby streets, apartment buildings, fast-food restaurants and bars without success.


In statements to the media, police said there was no indication if a weapon was used or what prompted the assault, Edmonton's sixth homicide of 2006. Police said alcohol may have been a factor.


Police believed Conley was already on the Route 74 bus when the four youths got on board at the Mill Woods Town Terminal. Police later determined the man did not know his attackers.


University of Alberta criminologist Bill Pitt raised the possibility that the beating was some kind of gang initiation. Police later discounted any gang-related connection.


Conley, who was known as 'Wil,' was an Edmonton resident with family in Apsley, Ontario, a town north of Peterborough. Conley's mother died 15 years ago in a car accident. Conley's stepfather Steve was reading about the Edmonton bus homicide on the internet before a phone call told him the victim was his stepson.


Working the last three years for Steelhead Industries, a sprinkler installation firm, the six-foot-two 220 pound Conley was on his way to a side-job in Edmonton's Old Strathcona district when he boarded the bus. Conley worked part-time at Rosie's Bar & Grill as a DJ hosting karaoke nights.


An amateur guitarist and drummer, Conley was born in Cookshire, Quebec and moved to Edmonton in 2001 from Hamilton, Ontario. His cremated ashes were to be buried alongside his mother in Cookshire.


An autopsy confirmed Conley died of head injuries, suffering a ruptured artery in the brain.



POLICE LINE: DO NOT CROSS


Ongoing Developments


March 3rd, 2006


After talking with their parents and family lawyers, four teens – three aged 17 and one aged 16 – turned themselves over to police. They each faced a charge of manslaughter.


Two of the teens were known to police regarding minor offences with the 16-year-old facing a charge of failing to report to his probation officer.


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Witness Aid


Global Edmonton image

Much was made by the local media during the days after the attack about witnesses to Stefan Conley's attack not coming to his aid.


A 19-year-old man who was on the bus spoke on condition of anonymity in an interview with the Edmonton Sun. His statements shed a different light on the situation.


The man said he was the only male passenger on the bus. The other passengers included a 22-year-old woman, two teenage girls, a mother and her young son, about 10. The passenger demographics were not known when the criticism of inaction was first raised.


The witness said he boarded the bus at Mill Woods Town Centre along with Conley and the four teens. Within 10 minutes, they were asked by the bus driver to quiet down and stop swearing.


When the teens continued to be loud and obnoxious, Conley told them to shut up. Yelling followed, and a full-scale fight erupted.


At just 165 pounds and five-foot-nine, the male witness said he wasn't about to jump in when he saw the severity of the attack. From the Sun,

"The victim grabbed the guy by the neck and held him against the wall," the witness recalled. "One of the guys punched him (the victim) in the side of the head to get him off. That's when they all started beating him. All four guys started punching him. I didn't see any kicking."

The witness estimated the swarming lasted "just under two minutes." One of the youths told the driver while leaving the bus, "The guy's unconscious, you better go check him out."


The witness called 911 and was joined by the 22-year-old woman in an effort to comfort Conley until help arrived.


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March 6th, 2006


Global Edmonton image

Four youths appeared in court wearing shackles on their hands and feet. They were remanded in custody without entering pleas to the charges. Their identities were protected by the Youth Criminal Justice Act.


Two of the accused were Grade 11 students attending J. Percy Page School. The two others had earlier dropped out of the same school.


Friends of the accused attended court to offer support. They were quoted in television interviews as saying "they were good guys," "they were caught up in the moment" and "they didn't mean to do it."


In contrast, Edmonton mayor Stephen Mandel offered little sympathy along with his own view on the justice system stating,

"Rather than saying 'OK, gee, he was a really nice guy and didn't mean to do it'...Well too bad - you did it. People tend to say, '(The) city (should) put more police on the street, more officers on transit.' (But) the fact of the matter is they catch these young kids, send them to court and they get a 15-day suspended sentence."

Judge James Koshman told the teens they could be sentenced as adults if convicted.


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Transit Safety


The media spotlight focused on the safety of Edmonton's Transit system. The Conley incident was the second attack on the public system within a month.


On February 8th, 2006 Chris Cassidy was pushed in front of an LRT train at Churchill Station. Cassidy survived the attack through quick thinking and even quicker reflexes. A man was arrested in that incident.


There were 301 violent incidents reported on the transit system in 2005, up from 200 in 1999.


The March 2nd, 2006 attack was the first-ever homicide on an Edmonton Transit bus, and the first within the Transit System since the August 3rd, 1988 beating death of 29-year-old Cathy Greeves in a Churchill LRT Station washroom adjacent to the Library parkade.


Ronald Nienhuis, free on day parole at the time, was convicted of manslaughter and received a life sentence for Greeves' death.


Other recent serious assaults occurring on Edmonton's transit system include:

August 6th, 2005 - a man, who survived his injuries, was stabbed near the Coliseum LRT station. One of the youths responsible for his attack was later charged in the death of Earl Gambler.


June 9th, 2004 - a man was attacked with a baseball bat on a city bus after getting into an argument over money.


June 2004 - Dave Bo-Lassen, 28, was punched and stabbed by thugs outside the Coliseum LRT station after refusing to hand over a package of cigarettes.


June 2004 - Dawn Zimmer, 20, was viciously beaten near the Coliseum LRT station.


June 2004 - Pam Newcombe, 20, was beaten up and robbed after getting off the LRT at the Coliseum station.


March 7th, 1998 - a female bus driver used a fire extinguisher to defend herself after being attacked by a group of teens on another Mill Woods bus route.

A spokesman for Amalgamated Transit Union 569 said bus drivers do not receive security training. They are instead instructed to call Transit Control and to not intervene.


A heightened security system, using special constables, was being finalised at the time of Conley's death. Edmonton Transit was also asking the provincial Solicitor General's Department for permission for the special constables to carry expandable batons and pepper spray.


Edmonton Councillor Bryan Anderson said the city recently allocated additional funding for more security and increased training for transit personnel. He said the extra security would be intended for the LRT system and not individual buses.


Edmonton Transit's web site advises users who see an assault not to become physically involved, but to tell an operator or phone 911 and try to get a detailed description of the suspects.


Mayor Stephen Mandel said the city does everything it can to make the bus and LRT systems safe.


"But sometimes no matter what you do you can't stop a senseless act by senseless people."


Wes Brodhead, head of security for Edmonton Transit, said that only nine of the city's 800 buses are equipped with security cameras, with those buses chosen according to how dangerous the route is considered to be.


Placing cameras in all Transit vehicles would cost $5,000 a bus ($4 million for the entire 800 vehicle fleet). Currently drivers can change the overhead display on the front of the bus to read "Help - Call Police" in addition to calling Transit Control.


A transit driver said that while cameras might discourage some, they wouldn't stop violence from occurring.


"They have cameras in 7-Elevens and that doesn't stop everyone," he said.


An ETS security operations coordinator said cameras are just another tool that can be invaluable in telling the story of what happened and providing identification of suspects.


See also Transit security get special constable status - March 20th, 2006 | ETS driver attacked - April 14th, 2006 | Special training announced; female driver assault revealed - April 18th, 2006 | Driver assaulted - May 3rd, 2006 | ETS driver assaulted - June 26th, 2006 | Another ETS driver assaulted - June 28th, 2006


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Police Response


Chief Boyd's findings - March 7th, 2006 | Police Association statement


The March 2nd, 2006 murder on an Edmonton Transit bus sparked public concern over police response time responding to Transit incidents.


On March 6th, Edmonton's new police chief Mike Boyd ordered an operational review to look into the more than half-hour delay between driver Merle Ludwig's initial call and eventual police presence at the scene. Transit officials said four calls were made to police before cops responded.


The transit murder was the first high profile incident under Boyd's watch. Boyd's delay in addressing issues regarding response time was seen as 'late' in some quarters, and the chief's ordering of a review seemed a quiet form of damage control for the police service.


Stefan William Conley Edmonton Journal Graphic

Event timeline:

8:45 p.m. - Route 74 departs Mill Woods Transit Centre.


8:58 p.m. - Driver cautions teens and pulls over. Driver calls Transit Control and requests emergency response saying, "There's a fight at the back of my bus." Suspects flee.


9:01 p.m. - Transit Control calls Emergency Response Department. Fire and ambulance are dispatched.


9:02 p.m. - Driver calls in saying, "Yeah, we're definitely going to need an ambulance here please."


9:05 p.m. - Police are notified of a disturbance on a bus at 20th Avenue and 94th Street.


9:06 p.m. - Ambulance crews arrive on scene and advise that police are needed.


9:14 p.m. - Police learn the disturbance has been upgraded to an assault with the victim no longer breathing. Police are also told witnesses are leaving.


9:23 p.m. - Police learn the disturbance has been upgraded to a possible homicide.


9:25 p.m. - Police units are dispatched.


9:34 p.m. - Police units arrive on scene. Tracking dogs and the Air-1 helicopter arrive later.

Transit officials maintain the driver and Transit Control responded according to established guidelines.



Chief of Police Mike Boyd - Edmonton Sun photo

On March 7th, 2006 Chief Boyd addressed the media with the findings of his review.


"We failed in the handling of this call. I can't describe it any other way."


Since taking over the job as chief of police early in January, 2006 Boyd often stated that change within the department would be swift.


Effective immediately, Boyd said there would always be an available police vehicle designated to handle Priority 1 calls in each of the city's four subdivisions. A second unit would be assigned as a backup.


The attack on the city bus initially came in as a Priority 2 call, and was later upgraded to a Priority 1. When the call was upgraded, all on-duty patrol cars in the South Division were either investigating other calls or handling “administrative portions of investigations that are mandated,” Boyd said.


Boyd admitted quicker police response wouldn’t have saved Conley’s life but would have aided in securing the crime scene and the interviewing of witnesses before they had left the area where the bus stopped.


Boyd said that if both subdivision Priority 1 cars were busy, a unit would be brought in from an adjacent subdivision.



Sgt. Glen Dennis, Edmonton Police Association vice-president, says understaffing and a new patrolling system, introduced last month, may have led to the police delay in attending the bus homicide.


"From a resource issue standpoint, if there weren't the cars available, that would indicate that it is in fact a resource issue – where were the cars?" he said.


Called "quadrant policing," the system assigns car to specific areas in which they must remain. If one quadrant is backed up with routine calls, patrol cars in other quadrants are forbidden to help out, except for the highest emergencies.


Frontline cops said the quadrant system has been tried elsewhere and it doesn't work. Boyd's recent policy change is seen as an attempt to address some of the system's shortfalls.


See Police response put to test - March 17th, 2006.


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March 10th, 2006


The four teens charged with Conley's death made a court appearance to enter pleas and to apply for bail.


As the four were led into a courtroom under tight security, it became apparent the room was too small to hold all the spectators who had arrived to witness the proceedings. Friends of the teens as well as friends and family of victim Stefan Conley numbered over 130.


A decision was made to move the proceedings to a larger courtroom, but that too was to small to hold the crowd. After a move to the Edmonton Provincial Court Building's largest courtroom, with a capacity of 250, the appearance got underway.


While the teen's defence lawyers were ready, the Crown was not. An application for three more days of preparation was granted, and the youths were scheduled to appear March 13th. The Crown said it needed the extra time to get more information from police.


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March 13th, 2006


The four accused appeared in court, again wearing handcuffs and shackles.


Security at the courtroom was tight. The capacity crowd, representing friends and family of the teens as well as the victim, all had to pass through metal detectors. Six armed guards were posted inside the courtroom.


Arguments lasting over two hours were made by Crown Prosecutor Marisa Anderson and the four lawyers representing the teens to convince Provincial court Judge Danielle Dalton to grant or deny bail.


One of the defence lawyers, Peter Royal, pointed out the teens could spend eighteen months behind bars waiting for trial. He reminded the judge about the danger of punishing first and having the trial later.


A publication ban was then imposed preventing release of the nature of the arguments.


Dalton told the courtroom she would rule on bail on March 15th.


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Family Reaction


In a written statement, Stefan's aunt Maureen Conley spoke on behalf of the family.


"Stefan died because four youths chose not to control their own behaviour – or worse, thought that that behaviour made them powerful and important."


"The system didn't kill him, the four boys did ... the focus on this story is best left with the killers themselves and that tough youth subculture that glorifies such behaviour."


Steve and Scott Conley

Steve Conley, stepfather of victim Stefan Conley, drove to Edmonton nearly 24 hours a day for three days from Apsley, Ontario when he first heard of his stepson's murder.


Steve hadn't seen Stefan in seven years. Driving with him was Stefan's half-brother Scott.


During their stay in Edmonton, the Conleys attended a celebration of Stefan's life held by his co-workers at Steelhead Industries held at Chicago Joe's Pizza and Pub.


Of the recent admission and changes announced by Chief Boyd, Steve Conley said "I think it was very big of him."


"I think what he's done will be of great benefit to the people of Edmonton now that something has been put into place to correct the problems that happened here. Unfortunately, it's too little too late for our circumstance."


Speaking to reports that Stefan may have provoked the beating by grabbing one of the teens, his stepfather said, "I don't believe Stefan was the type of person who would have provoked anything. We were told by the police department that he did nothing aggressive."


"I'm still shocked with what happened especially with violence of it, the sudden loss of my son," Conley said.


"I'm extremely happy to see the support for my son. He had a great life here and loved Edmonton, it's just too bad Edmonton let him down."


The elder Conley said he felt reassured after meeting with Crown attorney Marisa Anderson and Detective Brian Robertson, the lead investigator into his stepson's homicide.


The Conleys attended the March 10th bail hearing.


Outside the courtroom Conley said, "It was very difficult to stay in my seat."


"At the same time, as our system works, they are still innocent until proven guilty."


After attending the March 13th bail hearing, Steve Conley said he had to leave Edmonton to attend to his businesses and for memorials planned in Ontario and Quebec.


"I'd definitely like to see some heavy duty jail time," Conley said. "I think the Young Offenders Act sucks."


"That's why we have all these problems. If I knew that it didn't matter what I did, that I would probably spend a year or two at most in jail and walk out with no record – that's incentive to get away with murder."


Conley and Stefan's half-brother Scott again drove across Canada, this time carrying Stefan's ashes.


Helping to pack and deal with Stefan Conley's personal effects were police chief Mike Boyd and EPS Inspector Joe Rogers.


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March 15th, 2006


Provincial court Judge Danielle Dalton granted bail to the four teenagers.


Inside the courtroom the decision brought smiles and high-fives from friends of the teens and gasps from friends of Conley. Outside later, associates of the accused cheered.


Appearing on camera Conley friend Helena Burgess said, "It's disgusting. I want to throw up."


Speaking to the reaction of the accused in court Burgess said, "You should have seen them. They were smiling, blowing kisses to their girlfriends. They were smirking, they were smug. They knew that this was going to happen."


“Bail provisions are not there as a loophole for punishing accused persons before they have been found guilty,” Judge Dalton told the courtroom.


“When you take into account all the circumstances, I believe that a reasonable person would be satisfied that denial of bail is not necessary.”


Though a publication ban prevents release of the details of arguments presented, the Canadian Press suggested Conley's words with the boys before they turned on him may have been a mitigating factor in the argument against the charges of manslaughter.


Ed O'Neil - Edmonton Sun photo

Ed O'Neil, defence lawyer for one of the teens, said the four have already been tried by the media and public. He said the accused would enter not guilty pleas and their case would be "vigorously litigated."


Judge Dalton attached a number of conditions to the bail.


The teens must have no contact with each other, abide by a 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. curfew, must be employed or enrolled in an approved education program, must refrain from alcohol and non-prescription drugs and must provide urine and breath samples whenever requested by authorities.


The teens are also forbidden to set foot on Edmonton Transit property or take city buses or the LRT and they are not allowed back at J. Percy Page School.


The four were next to appear in court April 12th, 2006 to enter pleas and elect a trial by judge or judge and jury. An Alberta Justice spokesman said Crown prosecutors have not yet decided whether to ask for a bail review or appeal.


In December, 2005 bail was granted to five Edmonton teens charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Shane Rolston at a house party in Sherwood Park.


Another one of the teen's defence lawyers, Laura Stevens, convinced a jury earlier in 2006 that Murray McClenaghan was not criminally responsible for the shotgun death of his business partner, Donald Hanscom.


Stevens is president of the Edmonton Criminal Trial Lawyers Association and is also taking part in new police chief Mike Boyd's discussions on improving Edmonton's police service.


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March 17th, 2006


A 72-year-old transit rider announced she was organising a petition calling to revoke the bail granted four teens charged with Conley's death.


Frances Kitzul told a local newspaper, "Our justice system has gone too far. It makes me angry and it also frightens me."


Kitzul called the judge's decision "ludicrous. It's the only word I can think of that is printable."


The notion of petitions as a form of protest against what some see as a lax legal system first became popular in October 2005 after Michael White was released on bail. White was charged with the second-degree murder of his wife Liana White.


On February 22nd, 2006 White's bail was revoked on appeal when the Crown presented new evidence. A petition, bearing more the 2,000 signatures, was not thought to have had any bearing on the success of the appeal.


On March 16th, 2006 Darlene Funk, sister of murder victim Ronald Funk, announced she was prepared to go door-to-door to collect signatures for a petition to send Dawn McGilvery back to jail. McGilvery was charged with second-degree murder in Funk's death.


Media reports first suggested those helping Kitzul with getting her petition going include Member of Parliament Peter Goldring and Alberta Justice Minister Ron Stevens. Goldring said he promised "to see what we can do."


Stevens was later quoted saying, "It would be wholly inappropriate to operate a justice system based on petitions that people had."


Alberta Member of the Legislature Thomas Lukaszuk also expressed concern over Kitzul's petition.


"Well if this was a trend, it would be a troublesome trend because in our justice system, judges can't and should not be rendering decisions based on popular support. Because we would have to go back to the 1600s and say, 'do we hang him?' If they say yes, we hang him. And that's not what our justice system is based on."


When Conley's stepmother, Joy Conley, heard about the petition she said, "I think that's just fantastic. Good for her. Go, girl! I'd like them back in jail, especially with their cocky attitude."


The Conley petition also had support from Ken Foster, Canadian director of the Amalgamated Transit Union.


Kitzul said she hoped to collect 5,000 signatures.



Also on March 17th, 2006 the threat of another attack on a city bus put a recently announced Edmonton Police Service policy to the test.


At about 9:00 p.m., a transit driver called 911 to report several young girls were being threatened by a number of youths.


The trouble started at the Northgate terminal where the bus picked up a large group of teens headed to an event at West Edmonton Mall.


One of the threatened girls told media "They said they were going to stomp us when we got to West Ed Mall. They told us, 'You're going to be dead.' "


The threatened girls told the bus driver they feared that one of the two girls and six boys who confronted them had a weapon.


It only took police five to seven minutes to respond. Three cruisers and a paddy wagon met the bus at a stop near 135 Street and 109 Avenue.


Police didn't find a weapon but did take one of the youths into custody on a criminal warrant.


The incident was the first of its kind after Conley's attack and police chief Mike Boyd's commitment to improved police response to Edmonton Transit complaints.


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March 20th, 2006


Friends of Stefan Conley announced they too are circulating a petition to get bail revoked for Conley's accused murderers.


A friend of Conley, Stasha Bodnar, said it was sickening to sit in the courtroom and witness the teens get bail. Bodnar said she started the petition "Not only [because of] the outcome but obviously the reaction of the kids and of their friends in the courtroom. Smiling, blowing kisses to each other, waving..."


"This is a serious issue and none of us really feel that any of the kids involved understand how serious these actions are," Bodnar added.


Interested persons were invited to sign the petition at Rosie's Bar & Grill in Edmonton's Old Strathcona district.


Another one of Conley's friends, Arnie Saathof, launched an online petition at www.petitionspot.com/petitions/Conley. The site posted names of those signing and their comments.


Saathof said he knew the petition wouldn't carry any weight in court. "I know it's not a binding thing, but people are upset about this," he added.


Saathof hoped to collect 25,000 signatures. 10,698 persons eventually signed the petition.


Conley's father, Steven, said he supported the petitions. "I'll probably get my signature on it soon, by fax or e-mail," he said when contacted at his home in Apsley, Ontario.


An Alberta Justice spokesman said the department was still considering an appeal of the bail decision and a petition wouldn't influence that decision or the courts.


Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, anyone charged with an offence has the right "not to be denied reasonable bail without just cause."


When judges make a decision whether or not to grant bail they weigh three factors: whether the accused person represents a risk of fleeing and thus not appearing in court; whether or not the accused person presents a danger to the public; and whether the decision to grant or deny bail will maintain public confidence in the judicial system.


In overturning Michael White's bail, a panel of three judges cited the third condition after new evidence was presented by the Crown.



Also on March 20th, 2006 32 Edmonton Transit officers were granted special constable status.


Transit security officers could now carry police batons and pepper spray, have the authority to enforce provincial acts and write tickets for trespassing and open liquor.


The new status is granted after personnel have completed a three week training course involving human relations, legislation and officer safety.


Transit security officers in Toronto, Calgary, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Montreal also have special constable status. Vancouver's transit system is controlled by a special unit of police officers. Ottawa was hiring transit constables who would also be armed.


Overseeing Edmonton Transit's officers would be Edmonton Police Service Inspector Mike Derbyshire.


Stephen Jenuth, president of the Alberta Civil Liberties Association, said arming special constables wasn't the best way to make public transit safer.


"There's always a simple but wrong answer to every problem. This seems to be one of those instances," Jenuth added.


While the arming and special constable status of Transit officers was generally recognised as warranted, their effectiveness may be challenged by the scope of the system. With 610 bus routes, two dozen LRT trains and 11 stations – and a 20 hour daily schedule – 32 officers have a lot of ground and time to cover.


The four teens charged with Conley's murder have been forbidden to use public transit, but ETS officials admit there's virtually nothing they can do to monitor their bail condition.


With a publication ban and provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act in effect, none of Transit's 1,200 bus and LRT operators knew the teens' names or what they looked like.


"We can't put posters up in the operators' lounge," said George Kuhse, ETS supervisor of service support.


Wes Broadhead, director of bus operations, said if the teens were found on Transit property the police would be called.


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April 10th, 2006


Organisers Arnie Saathof and Frances Kitzul presented their petitions to Edmonton-Castle Downs MLA Thomas Lukaszuk to have bail revoked for the four teens charged with Conley's murder.


Grandmother and frequent transit rider Kitzul collected over 5,000 signatures, while Saathof gathered more than 11,000 signatures online and nearly 3,000 on paper.


Lukaszuk said he would table the petitions in the House before the four teens reappear in court April 12th.


The petitions asked the Crown appeal the bail on the basis it undermined public confidence in the justice system.


In October 2005, Lukaszuk was presented with a petition with more than 2,000 signatures calling for accused wife killer Michael White's bail to be revoked. White's bail was appealed by the Crown and revoked in February, 2006.


Lukaszuk said he wasn't sure how much impact that petition had, other than to show citizens had lost confidence in the justice system.


Legal experts quoted in the media said judges aren’t likely to consider petitions on their own, suggesting the Crown had to show those charged would likely not show up for trial or would be risks to reoffend to qualify for an overturning of bail.


An Alberta Justice spokesman announced that while the Crown was initially opposed to bail in the case, it concluded there were no grounds to appeal.


“The courts have been very clear that bail decisions won’t be overturned if there is no error in law or no new evidence or circumstances that would alter the perspective of the court,” said the spokesman.


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April 12th, 2006


The four teenagers facing manslaughter charges in Stefan Conley's death made a brief court appearance and were to reappear in court May 26th for election and plea.


The Court set aside two weeks just before and after the Christmas 2006 holidays for a preliminary hearing.


Also on this date, Arnie Saathof learned that his petition was ruled invalid to be accepted in the legislature because it was done over the internet.


Saathof says he was disappointed with how slowly things moved in the justice system.


"I think that maybe the only positive thing to come of this is they won't get any three times credit for pre-trial lock up, so if they actually do get sentenced, they will go to jail instead of just being released on time served."


Saathof has been joined in his effort by Deanna Gallant, who started the petition in the Michael White case. The two were planning to create a society whose goal was to convince politicians to get tougher on law and order.


“We want the government to show more accountability,” said Gallant, adding the justice system “doesn’t show respect for human life” by giving accused killers bail.


The pair said they plan to meet Edmonton MP Peter Goldring to discuss plans for their coalition, a proposed non-profit group, such as a name and mission statement. Gallant said they already had the backing of St. Albert MP John Williams.


Goldring welcomed the petitions, saying "liberal" judges needed to hear that many members of the public feel they're too soft on accused criminals.


"It certainly should have an impact, and if judges don't listen, that's where Parliament must act in being more aggressive in writing laws that judges should listen to public concern."


Goldring said Federal Justice Minister Vic Toews supported his position that bail needs to be made harder to get.


"Bail is to return somebody who really, truly is not a threat to society, but I can't see where you would be returning somebody ... who (is accused of having) committed a violent crime," he said.


Alberta Justice Minister Ron Stevens said earlier that while the petitions provide an important voice for the public, the Criminal Code doesn't give them legal standing in the courts.


"The judiciary have to be independent of political considerations."


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April 14th, 2006


An ETS bus driver was attacked by three youths at the Mill Woods transit centre.


James Bird - Edmonton Sun photo

After refusing to accept a transfer ticket that six-year ETS driver James Bird suspected was stolen, Bird was assaulted outside after he escorted the teen passing the transfer off his No. 69 bus.


A second teen called him a "f*cking *sshole" and punched him in the head. The first teen jumped in and also began punching Bird in the head.


"When I turned away (from the rain of blows) a girl shoved me hard from behind. My face went into the side of the bus and I fell to the ground," Bird said.


Two bystanders eventually intervened to break up the fight and Bird told the kids to get lost. An ETS security investigator was dispatched to the transit centre.


Bird said such assaults weren't a rarity on the transit system.


"Last fall a fellow tried to attack me with a golf club on the Whyte Avenue route. And I intervened in three fights on my bus near the Bonnie Doon station."


Bird said the best way to improve security would be to have round-the-clock staffing at all major transit centres.


"A lot of my passengers are afraid to wait (at the Mill Woods station). The kids there scatter when security comes by, but when it's gone they're back harassing riders."


ETS policy states drivers must stay in their seats and are supposed to call for help.


"The rationale for drivers to stay seated is that we want to minimize escalation. Drivers are trained to stay in their seats and call the transit control (office)," said an ETS acting manager.


But Bird argued that weak security systems force drivers to intervene. As far as he's concerned, the "stay seated" policy goes out the window when he sees someone being accosted.


"I can't stand by and watch someone get beat up if I can do something about it," Bird said. "I honestly find ETS more worried about public image than passenger or driver safety."


The ETS acting manager conceded Bird's viewpoint that a "stay seated" driver policy isn't a cut-and-dried issue.


"When someone's life or safety is at risk, people will make decisions that go beyond training. But our best practice is for drivers not to get out of their seats."


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April 18th, 2006


Edmonton Transit officials announced drivers will receive special training in how to defuse volatile situations.


Effective immediately, the annual training program will include teaching transit operators to identify security-related situations and how to react to them.


"This is something we've been working on for quite some time and it's coincidental that there have been incidents recently on the buses," said ETS Insp. Mike Derbyshire.


Derbyshire also confirmed that a female driver was assaulted by a passenger with a knife earlier in April at the Mill Woods transit station.


"A female operator was involved in an altercation," he said. "She received some very, very minor injuries that did not affect her ability to carry out her duties."


Derbyshire said that a struggle took place but didn't confirm exactly how the driver was injured.


Derbyshire insisted that the public had nothing to fear because transit security were designated as special constables and were now armed with batons and pepper spray.


He added more than 49 million people rode on Edmonton's transit system in 2005 with about 300 serious incidents reported.


"You have better odds of winning the Super 7 and 6/49 in the same weekend," he said.


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May 3rd, 2006


Just before midnight police were called to the ETS bus terminal at Kingsway Garden Mall after a report a bus driver had been assaulted by a passenger.


A passenger had allegedly tried to board the bus without paying his fare. When the driver refused to let him on board, he began arguing with the driver.


The argument quickly escalated and the passenger then allegedly began punching the driver.


The 52-year-old male driver of the bus received a minor concussion and was transported by ambulance to hospital.


18-year-old Dustin Tyrone Morningchild was charged with assault.


Bill Chahal, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, called the attack "totally unacceptable" and stated it adds weight to the union's call for extra protective service officers (PSOs) to work night shifts.


Chahal said Kingsway should be declared a high-risk terminal because its bus routes go by a number of bars and nightspots.


"It hits a lot of areas where there's drinking involved. Sometimes you can't predict what's going to happen."


Chahal suggested another six PSOs were needed for night shifts and called on city council for extra funding.


ETS spokesman Patricia Dickson said 37 PSOs are currently deployed throughout the city on shifts identified by a "needs-based assessment."


Dickson said PSOs arrived at the Kingsway mall terminal within six to seven minutes after the attack was reported.


The Kingsway terminal was not previously considered a hot spot for potential criminal activity but that may now change, Dickson added.


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May 8th, 2006


While aboard an ETS bus near 154 Avenue and Castle Downs Road just before noon a woman claimed she was sexually assaulted.


She informed the bus driver of the assault and he called transit dispatch, who notified police.


News of the attack didn't surprise sexual assault centre workers.


“It’s certainly not unheard of,” said Janice Shigemi, director of client services and a psychologist at the Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton.


She said sexual assaults can happen anywhere at any time and she’s heard of sexual assaults occurring at bus depots, malls and schools.


Sexual assaults don’t necessarily have to include penetration, she added. They can include fondling and groping over clothing.


“It could have been very discreet, very quick,” Shigemi said.


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May 26th, 2006


A lawyer representing the four teens charged in Conley's death appeared in court on their behalf.


The teens were free on bail and were not compelled to appear in person.


The court set preliminary trial dates for December 18th to 22nd, 2006 and January 2nd to 5th, 2007.


There was no word if a trial election or plea was entered.


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June 26th, 2006


At about 12:45 a.m. a black man, about 24 years old wearing a white hoodie, blue jeans and necklace boarded ETS bus Route No. 10 at 64 Street and 129 Avenue. He demanded that he be driven to Clareview.


When the driver told him his bus didn’t go to that area and he could only take him as far as Belevedere LRT Station, the man became argumentative and produced a small (exacto-style/box-cutter) knife.


The man replied "It does now" and slashed the driver twice on the arm before punching him in the head. The man fled on foot.


Injuries to the driver were minor and were treated on-scene by emergency medical service personnel. No other passengers were on the bus at the time of the attack.


Police sought witnesses who might have seen the attacker and contacted businesses in the area in case surveillance cameras captured footage of the fleeing man.


Transit officials have downplayed the need to equip the city's 800 buses with security cameras, which cost about $5,000 each, for a total of $4 million. Currently only nine ETS buses have onboard cameras.


The Edmonton Sun contacted Stefan William Conley's stepfather for reaction to the attack.


"This again just seems to be (happening) all over the place these days and I truly don't understand it," said Steve Conley.


Conley also said he plans to be back in Edmonton for the teens' preliminary hearing in December, 2006.


Arnie Saathof, who spearheaded a petition opposing the granting of bail to the four teens charged said, "I thought, 'Oh no, not again.' Thank God this bus driver wasn't seriously hurt."


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June 28th, 2006


At about 8:00 p.m. police were called to the Northgate Transit Centre at 97th Street and 137th Avenue after a fight broke out between an ETS driver and a passenger.


Paramedics treated the assailant for a gash to the head after he took a tumble down the bus entrance stairs.


Lesley Stuart Stone, 53, was charged with one count of assault after he allegedly punched the driver in the face.


Police said a man boarded the bus and presented an invalid bus pass. The driver told the man that he would have to pay in cash. The man assaulted the driver who pushed the man away, resulting in the fall.


The bus driver received no serious injuries and was not charged.


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December 18th, 2006


A scheduled nine-day preliminary hearing before Judge Jack Easton for the four teens accused in the beating death of Stefan Conley on a city bus got underway.


The case against the accused continues on the Last Link Stefan Conley preliminary hearing page.


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May 11th, 2007


In a move that surprised everyone, Chief Crown prosecutor Bart Rosborough asked a judge in front of a packed courtroom to dismiss manslaughter charges against the four teens charged in the beating death of Stefan Conley.


The case against the four accused is now closed – read the details on the Stefan Conley preliminary hearing page.


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