deadmonton - thomas george svekla - 2002 sexual assault

Subscribe to Deadmonton  subscribe to deadmonton | save to del.icio.us | submit to digg | share on facebook


On May 24th, 2007 Thomas Svekla made his first appearance on two new charges in provincial court.


According to court documents, Svekla allegedly committed a sexual assault on a woman at or near Edmonton between August 1st, 2002, and June 30th, 2004.


In addition, he allegedly made a threat to kill the same woman between the same dates cited on the sexual assault charge. The alleged victim cannot be identified under a court-ordered publication ban.



On June 11th, 2007 Svekla made his second court appearance on the two new sexual assault charges.


The case was postponed with no reason was given for the delay.


During the brief court session, Svekla appeared to be calm.


On June 15th, 2007, appearing in court for the second time in a week, Svekla chose to be tried by judge alone on the new charges of sexual assault.


Svekla was to face a preliminary hearing on December 12th, 2007. The court date was finally held on September 10th, 2008.


The now convicted prostitute killer caught a break when the Crown announced it was abandoning the case.


"There was no reasonable likelihood of a conviction based on all the factors," special prosecutor Ashley Finlayson told the court.


Preliminary hearings are held to determine whether there is enough evidence for a person to be committed to stand trial.


Crown prosecutors have the latitude to withdraw a case at any time.


return to main Svekla page