CBRM councillor signs petition asking for review

A CBRM councillor has signed his name to a growing petition calling for an independent review of an ongoing Cape Breton Regional Police investigation into the death of 17-year-old Joneil Hanna.

“If something happened to your child, your son, in similar circumstances, wouldn’t you want answers and you would do the same thing right?” said Coun. Esmond Marshall of Es- Marshall kasoni who represents many communities including Leitches Creek. Marshall is the only member of Cape Breton regional council who’s publicly supported a provincially appointed review of the police department’s handling of the now 45-day-old case.

Former premier Rodney MacDonald previously signed the petition, which now includes nearly 1,000 signatures.

But provincial Justice Minister Mark Furey, who has the authority to launch a review of any Nova Scotia police department, says he has no intention of doing so and has maintained confidence in the police investigation.

Cape Breton Regional Police has not indicated when the investigation into the boy’s death might conclude.

Hanna was struck and killed in the early morning hours of June 10, shortly after leaving a prom party in Leitches Creek. The driver of the vehicle was at the same party and was granted permission to leave the event by a Cape Breton Regional Police officer, say passengers of the vehicle who have spoken to The Chronicle Herald.

That the driver was never subjected to a breathalyser and has not been charged has several family members and friends of the victim believing there needs to be an independent investigation.

(The Chronicle Herald)