"Prosecutors have withdrawn a second-degree murder charge against a man who spent 23 years in prison for the killing of a 10-year-old girl in 1989. Ontario's court of appeal set aside the conviction against Timothy Rees, 62, last month and ordered a new trial into the complex case, which includes recanted confessions, accusations of police conspiracy and mishandled evidence. It came after two former federal justice ministers said a miscarriage of justice had likely occurred during Rees's original trial more than 30 years ago."
"The decision however fell on the Crown to decide whether to proceed with a new trial. Rees was found guilty in 1990 of second-degree murder in the killing of Darla Thurrott and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 15 years. WATCH | Rees spoke to reporters last month after getting a new trial: A Toronto man who spent 23 years in prison for the murder of a little girl has been granted a new trial."
"I did not kill Darla. I am innocent and it had nothing to do with me, said Rees at the office of his lawyer James Lockyer. Rees's defence lawyer, James Lockyer, previously said he hoped prosecutors would use their discretion to agree to enter an acquittal."
Timothy Rees, 62, had a 1990 second-degree murder conviction set aside by Ontario's court of appeal and was ordered a new trial. Prosecutors subsequently withdrew the second-degree murder charge following concerns including recanted confessions, alleged police conspiracy and mishandled evidence. Two former federal justice ministers concluded a miscarriage of justice had likely occurred during the original trial more than 30 years earlier. Rees spent 23 years in prison for the 1989 killing of 10-year-old Darla Thurrott and was originally sentenced to life with no chance of parole for 15 years. Rees and his lawyer sought an acquittal instead of a retrial.
Read at www.cbc.ca
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