PUBLIC HEARING OPENS, WITNESS LIST RELEASED

The public hearing of the Commission of Inquiry Into the Wrongful Conviction of David Milgaard will open on Monday, January 17, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., at the Delta Bessborough Hotel, Battleford Ballroom, 601 Spadina Crescent East, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Mr. Justice Edward P. MacCallum, Commissioner, will make opening remarks, followed by Commission Counsel, Mr. Douglas Hodson, Q.C., and counsel for parties with standing before the Commission.

The complete schedule of hearing days, including sitting hours and locations, can be found at www.milgaardinquiry.ca.

Tables will be reserved in the hearing room for use by the media and space will be set aside for cameras. Media boxes will be provided. All requests or enquiries within the hearing room should be directed to the Executive Director, Ms. Candace Cook.

The Commission intends to release a witness list at the beginning of each phase of hearings. Phase 1 will focus on the Gail Miller murder, the resulting investigation, and the David Milgaard court proceedings. The Phase 1 witness list, detailing the witnesses who may appear between January 17, 2005 and April 21, 2005, in order of appearance, follows:

1. Gail Miller bus stop evidence (route and timing)

Adeline Hall (nee Nyczai)
Betty Silverfox (nee Hundt)
Anne Peters (nee Friesen)
Maria Trupej (nee Gallucci)
Simon Doell
Anthony Humen
Nathilie Treimans (nee Humen)
John Husulak
Syd Sargent
Margaret Lennox (nee Merriman)
John Burns

2. Murder scene and physical evidence

Helen Gerse
Giles Beauchamp
Rick Hounjet
Terry Michayliuk

3. Observations on January 31, 1969

Sandra Danchuk
Fred Alexander

4. Albert Cadrain

Dennis Cadrain
Ken Cadrain
Celine Armstrong (nee Cadrain)
Rita Gifford (nee Cadrain)
Linda Duffus
Father Murphy

5. Ron Wilson

Ronald Wilson
Shirley Wilson

6. Nichol (John) Demyen

Nichol Demyen (nee John)

7. Motel reenactment witnesses

Craig Melnyk
Ute Frank
Deborah Hall
Robert Harris

8. Related sexual assaults

Victim 1
Victim 2
Victim 3
Victim 4
Victim 5
Victim 6

9. Other

Les Spence
Dennis Elliott

10. Medical/Forensic

Dr. Harry Emson

NOTE: This schedule is subject to change. Witnesses may not appear in this order.

The media will receive an updated weekly witness list at the start of each week of hearings.

For further information, please contact:

Candace Cook
Executive Director
Telephone: (306) 787-0775
Cellular: (306) 533-6877
Email: milgaardinquiry@justice.gov.sk.ca