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Judge cancels fatality inquiry into 1995 death of toddler Jason Carpenter

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CBC News

A woman once charged with the aggravated assault of her foster child says she's relieved the fatality inquiry into his death has been called off.

Therese Martel and her ex-husband Rod Lenny were twice convicted in the case of Jason Carpenter. Both convictions were thrown out on appeal.

In 1990 the couple was charged with aggravated assault and failure to provide the necessities of life after two year old Jason was brought to hospital suffering a massive head injury.

The boy died of the injury after remaining in a coma for five years.

Yesterday, Justice J.H. Langston stopped a fatality inquiry into Jason's death citing concern for the effect it would have on his former foster parents.

In his decision Langston noted the potential effect of the inquiry on Martel's 12 year old son.

He wrote, "the inevitable and predictable sensational media coverage would again cause trauma to (Martel's son) and his family."

Martel says she hope she and her family will now be able to get on with their lives.

Her lawyer, Tom Engel, says she plans to continue with her lawsuits against the Government of Alberta, and a number of social workers and police officers.

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1999 Nov 19