THE TRIAL OF ROBERT WILLIAM PICKTON

NEWS UPDATES

Pickton attorney speaks to media
The National Post (12-10-07)
Lawyer admits he never thought it would take 5 years for proceedings.

Citizen journos keep trial going
P2Pnet.net (12-10-07)
Will online discussions open discourse print media can’t?

Sentencing allows victims’ families a voice
CBC.ca (12-10-07)
If Pickton was convicted of first degree murder, there would be no opportunity.

Verdict forces new questions
Canadian Press (12-10-07)
Fallout from the trial is far from over, public inquiry possible.

A vivid portrait of Pickton’s farm
Globeandmail.com (03-20-07)
Before a week-long adjournment, the scene of Pickton’s complex was set in the jury’s minds.

The horror of Pickton
Thestar.com (03-20-07)
Pickton’s place in the “Hannibal Lecter” archetypal legacy.

Pickton coverage has neurological effects
thetyee.ca (03-03-07)
Neurons in the brain are responsible for our empathy for the victims.

Pickton’s brother under investigation
ctv.ca (03-03-07)
The jury was told Thursday that David Pickton remains a suspect.

Jury hears conflicting Pickton caricatures
Canada.com (02-20-07)
After one month of trial international media departs but lawyers continue with grisly case.

Investigators faced with few clues
Canoe.ca (02-20-07)
The names of several missing women were among the only initial evidence against Pickton.

Pickton movie in the works
canoe.ca (02-20-07)
Despite public outcry over details of the case, CTV movie gets the go ahead.

Angry letters flood media outlets
canoe.ca (02-20-07)
People don’t want to hear all the details, but still consider the media role important.

Canadians want reporting, not details
Canada.com (01-02-07)
A CP poll suggests Canadians feel the media is reporting the trial fairly.

Police lies to Pickton a ‘legal minefield’
winnipegsun.com (01-02-07)
Court examines the extent of police authority before crossing the line.

Bloggers obscure publication bans
Ottawa Citizen (30-01-07)
Blogs mean Americans can get information about the trial Canadians can’t.

Second week of trial begins
cknw.com (29-01-07)
This week the jury will see a second tape of Pickton talking to police.

Three others initially arrested
London Free Press (29-01-07)
Police reveal they held three of the pig farmer’s friends.

The media’s trials
globeandmail.com (25-01-07)
Law professor will answer questions about how the media should cover the trial.

Dealing with the details
news1130.com (25-01-07)
Psychologist says we may be more affected than we think.


ARTICLES

Trisha Baptie: Reporting from the heart
December 17, 2007


What is “responsible” coverage of the Pickton murder trial?

By Stephen J. A. Ward, January 23, 2007
Even if journalists desire to report ethically on the Pickton trial, their best intentions will be sorely tested by this complex case, our vague understanding of terms such as “media responsibility,” and the inevitable clash of journalistic values.

Legal challenges as trial begins
By Daniel W. Burnett, January 22, 2007
Jury selection, security arrangements and media access reflect the extraordinary challenges of the case.

Reporting on the unspeakable
By Catherine Rolfsen, January 22, 2007
As the trial of Robert “Willie” Pickton begins today, Vancouver media are preparing for unprecedented ethical challenges in their coverage of a story which has garnered international attention and horror.

The Pickton Circus – and two new media performers
By Kendyl Salcito, January 17, 2007
Orato.com’s Pickton trial correspondents – two former sex workers – have posted their first stories at http://www.orato.com/node/1537 and http://www.orato.com/node/1538.

 

Robert "Willie" Pickton is charged with the first-degree murder of 26 women who disappeared from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside between 1995-2002. Sketch: Guelph Mercury.com

Background

Chronology of events

Key persons in the trial

 by Carolynne Burkholder

Media information package




Investigators, searching for
evidence in the cases of 60-70
sex workers missing from the
area, spent months sifting the
soil on the farm.



Challenges for the media, challenges for the law
By Daniel W. Burnett, January 29, 2006

Robert “Willie” Pickton is accused of being Canada’s worst serial killer. If found guilty on all 26 murder charges, that will put him in a morbid lead over the infamous Ted Bundy. The trial, which began January 30, will be one of the most prominent news stories of the year, and has significant international attention. It will test the laws that protect fair trials in Canada like they have never been tested before.
News coverage 2006

Crowd thins out at serial-slaying trial (02-01-06)

theglobeandmail.ca
The second day of the long-awaited murder trial of Robert Pickton lacked the level of intense interest that surrounded the case a day earlier.

Agonizing wait is over: Daughter hopes accused serial killer's trial will bring
some closure (01-31-06)

edmontonsun.com
It's been a long wait, but for the daughter of Georgina Papin the trial of accused
serial killer Robert Pickton can't start - or end - quickly enough.

Pickton pleads not guilty (01-30-06)
cbc.ca
Robert Pickton has pleaded not guilty to 27 charges of first-degree murder in B.C.
Supreme Court in New Westminster.

Victims' families feel left out in Pickton hearing (01-30-06)
theglobeandmail.com
Victims services workers assigned to help families of the alleged victims have been accused by one mother of working primarily by “keeping us away and keeping us quiet.”

 
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