In this special episode in advance of the June 10th book release, author Paul Palango and Adam Rodgers discuss Anatomy of a Cover-Up: The Truth about the RCMP and the Nova Scotia Massacres.
This book is a follow-up to Paul's bestseller, 22 Murders, and can be ordered here;
https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/anatomy-of-a-cover-up-the-truth-about-the-rcmp-and-the-nova-scotia-massacres/9781039010123.html
Paul and Adam go through 11 excerpts from the audio book, including new revelations about Wortman's escape from Portapique, an explosive letter from the judge who was the head of the police oversight organization SiRT, and evidence that Wortman may not have killed one of the victims.

48 14

This week, Paul Palango gives an update and preview of his upcoming book, and the guys discuss how podcasts are emerging as a trusted news source.
In stories, Paul and Adam Rodgers discuss the London World Junior hockey trial, which is not going well for the prosecution. This week, the first defendant to testify, Carter Hart, explained his perspective. The judge also heard from the initial police investigator, who had decided against laying charges. A key text message exchange was excluded from evidence, against the prosecutions wishes.
Also, the guys review the New Brunswick case where the defense is looking for more information on a confidential source being handled by an officer who is himself accused of stealing drugs from the RCMP exhibit locker.
In Nova Scotia, the Court of Appeal overturned a decision to exclude evidence after an improper strip search of the accused. Dante Cromwell had pointed a handgun at another motorist in a road rage incident, and was later found to be in possession of 25g of cocaine after a strip search by Halifax police.
Finally, the guys discuss the land acknowledgement from King Charles, and Paul reminisces about covering a royal visit in his early days as a reporter.

30 0

This week, Paul Palango starts the show with a look at the cover of his upcoming book, Anatomy of a Coverup. The book will be released June 10th, and Paul is already taking interview requests.
The World Junior hockey players trial featured Las Vegas Golden Knights forward, Brett Howden testifying by video. He was called by the Crown prosecutor, who then made an application to the judge to be permitted to cross-examine Howden on his alleged memory lapses. Adam explains why this is another bad sign for the Crown case.
Two drug related homicides in Calgary made the news this week when they reached their sentencing stage. One involved an indigenous offender, and he received an 8 year sentence for a killing that appeared worse than that committed by a non-indigenous offender who received 11 years. What might this mean for the repute of the justice system.
The Kelowna RCMP detachment is the largest in Canada (after Surrey, BC adopted a municipal police force), and now the city has commissioned a review of their policing structure.

33 5

This week, Paul and Adam discuss the continuing search for Jack and Lilly Sullivan, two children who have been missing for over two weeks in rural Nova Scotia, under very suspicious circumstances. Many signs point to an active police investigation, but authorities have not specified who might be under investigation, or whether they have any promising leads.
The other main story for this week is the trial of the five former World Junior hockey players, which is taking place in London, Ontario. This week saw a second jury dismissed, and the trial will now continue as a judge-alone trial. The conduct of the lawyers involved, one of whom is alleged to be at fault for both juries having been dismissed, is analyzed, along with whether the judge made the right decision in refusing to declare a second mistrial.
The guys also discuss how artificial intelligence was recently used in an Arizona case two bring a deceased victim back to life for a sentencing hearing.
Finally, Paul talks about the malaise that is settling in for the city of Toronto following another game seven disappointment.

65 14

This week, Paul is joining the show from Raratonga, in the South Pacific. The guys discuss how justice issues may have affected the federal election results, and what comes next for the Conservatives after losing a 25 point lead.
The BC Premier has (sort of) called for an inquiry into the mental health treatment and decisions surrounding the tragedy in Vancouver at the Lapu Lapu Festival. Should there be more involuntary institutionalizations of those with mental health conditions?
In the past two days, two young children have gone missing in Nova Scotia. We discuss the criticism the RCMP has been receiving about not issuing an Amber Alert at the earliest opportunity.
Finally, we discuss the first week of the jury trial for the five former Canadian World Junior hockey players on trial in London, ON. The trial centers on two videos made by the complainant, in which she claims to have consented to the activity in question. We discuss how the jury might weigh that evidence, and other issues that have arisen in the trial, including how the trial had to restart with a new jury after a mistrial was declared on day two of the trial.

35 14

This week marks five years since Gabriel Wortman murdered 22 Nova Scotians over the course of 13 hours. Paul Palango and Adam Rodgers are joined this week by Scott MacLeod, brother of Sean MacLeod, one of Wortman's victims. Scott was present for much of the Mass Casualty Commission hearing process, and is a part of the Progress Monitoring Committee that was established to track the implementation of the recommendations. Scott's shares his reflections on all of that, along with his still unanswered questions that remain after five years.
Before Scott joins the discussion, Paul and Adam discuss the parts of the federal leaders' debates where justice issues were raised, as well as Paul's week of meetings with publishers in Toronto (and what that says about public attitudes towards policing in Canada).

38 12

This Easter weekend marks the 5th anniversary of the NS mass shooting. I look at the changes since that time, focusing on the recommendations on the treatment of domestic violence. I preview this weekend's Dispersing the Fog episode, which will feature special guest, Scott MacLeod.
In the Supreme Court of Canada, arguments were made on an interprovincial travel case that arose during the pandemic. Kim Taylor was looking to travel from NS to St. John's NL for her mother's funeral in May of 2020, but was denied entry. The SCC heard arguments on section six of the Charter, which deals with movement between provinces. I analyze the arguments, and predict how the Court will decide the case.
Finally, I review the justice portions of the leadership debates from the past two nights, and observe how Mr. Poilievre reminded me of Eric Lindros' MVP speech from the 1995 NHL awards.

30 7

This week, Paul Palango and Adam Rodgers discuss the Conservative and Liberal justice proposals released this week in the Canadian federal election campaign. The Conservatives say “three strikes and you’re out”, while the Liberals look to tackle gun crimes.
Related, this week the National Post published an excerpt of Tristin Hopper’s new book, Don’t Be Canada. The excerpt we analyse deals with Hopper’s critiques of the Canadian justice system, particularly as it deals with bail matters, and indigenous offenders.
Also, there is a case unfolding in BC, involving former officer Bill Majcher, who has been accused of espionage against Canada. Two other officers allege that they have been subjected to a spyware attack from the RCMP on their police-issued phones.
The show starts out with Paul describing an unusual invitation to join with retired police officers, ostensibly to join in their efforts to reform policing in Canada. It did not go as (they) planned.

36 1

This week, Paul Palango and Adam Rodgers discuss stories from Ottawa, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, as well as a school shooting report from Nashville.
Some US lawyers are reacting to being targeted by the Trump administration by refusing to take on cases against the government. The implications for the justice system are discussed.
PM Carney delayed dropping candidate Paul Chiang despite his advocating for his opponent to be turned in to Chinese officials. Paul explains how politicians are enamored with police officers, even as candidates.
In NS, the government is trying to regulate on-reserve cannabis sales.
An RCMP officer in New Brunswick has been cleared of wrongdoing in a shooting on a First Nations reserve.
A school shooting report out of Nashville has cleared the shooters parents and care providers of responsibility. There are lessons for parents in the case.
Finally, a case out of Ontario has been tossed due to delay. The accused had been found with over 8kg of cocaine.

33 7