Assault charge against MLA withdrawn
Assault charges against Saskatchewan Party MLA Nadine Wilson have been withdrawn following a successful mediation.
Wilson, 61, was charged with two counts of common assault. The case was sent to mediation in September and was underway early in October.
The charges stemmed from an incident in Saskatoon on March 21 between Wilson, her stepmother Lorraine Kingsley-helbig and stepbrother Eric Hoknes that took place while Wilson was visiting her father, who is now deceased, according to Wilson’s lawyer Mark Brayford.
Brayford made a brief appearance in Saskatoon provincial court on Wednesday afternoon. Wilson did not attend.
Outside the courthouse the proceedings, Brayford discussed the benefits of the mediation process but would not comment on Wilson’s behalf.
“There’s so many different conflicts that come before the justice system and some of them are just better dealt with in a scenario other than with a criminal trial and a finding of guilty or innocent,” Brayford said.
“Some things are just better dealt with by way of mediation, and this is a classic case.”
Wilson has represented the Saskatchewan Rivers riding near Prince Albert since 2007. She resigned from her position as provincial secretary after the charges were laid.
Premier Scott Moe’s press secretary, Jim Billington, confirmed to the Starphoenix that MLA Todd Goudy will continue to serve in the role even now that charges have been withdrawn.
Wilson remains a member of the government caucus. During the Sask. Party’s October convention in Regina, Wilson told reporters that Moe wanted her to stay.