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Council dismisses complaint against judge in Sampson case

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Council dismisses complaint against judge in Sampson case

The Canadian Press

Published Thursday, Dec. 18, 2008 11:31AM EST

TORONTO - The Ontario Judicial Council has dismissed a complaint brought against a judge in the Katelynn Sampson case.

The council says Justice Debra Paulseth is "extremely saddened" by the death of the seven-year-old girl, whose battered body was discovered in August.

Donna Irving and Warren Johnson have been charged with first-degree murder.

Paulseth had granted custody of the girl to Irving and Johnson with the blessing of Katelynn's mother, who was battling a drug addiction.

But court transcripts had revealed that few questions were asked about Irving, who had a criminal record for drugs, prostitution and violence.

That prompted NDP justice critic Peter Kormos to file a complaint with the council, saying Paulseth failed to consider the best interests of the child.

The council says it investigated the complaint, but dismissed it at "the earliest opportunity" without seeking a response from the judge.

www.cp24.com
2008 Dec 18