Latest news with #Lockyer
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Why all three EFL Play-off finals will kick off one minute late this weekend
This weekend's EFL play-off finals, in the Championship on Saturday, League One on Sunday and League Two on Monday, will all kick off a minute later than scheduled The EFL play-off finals will kick off a minute later than scheduled this weekend to promote the British Heart Foundation's 'Every Minute Matters' campaign. The campaign - which began during last season's play-offs - aims to encourage fans to learn CPR. And Luton skipper Tom Lockyer will make an emotional return to Wembley to join Vinnie Jones in a demonstration of the life-saving technique in front of the sell-out crowd. Lockyer will be back at the national stadium for the first time since collapsing on the pitch after suffering a heart scare just eight minutes into Luton's Championship play-off final victory over Coventry two years ago. The defender - who suffered a cardiac arrest during the Hatters' Premier League clash at Bournemouth 18 months ago - is an ambassador for the campaign that aims to highlight the importance of a quick response. The chances of survival after a cardiac arrest decrease by 10 per cent for every minute that passes without effective CPR or defibrillation. The shift in kick-off times is intended to underline that message with today's second-tie showdown between Sheffield United and Sunderland starting at 15:01. Lockyer said: 'This campaign has brought fans, players and clubs together like never before – and the result is nothing short of incredible. 'In just a year, we've helped more than 300,000 people to start learning CPR. That's a massive achievement, and one I'm incredibly proud of. I'm one of the lucky ones, but the stark reality is that most people who suffer an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest won't be so lucky. "That's why on Saturday at Wembley I'll be calling for one final effort from the fans because every extra person we inspire to learn CPR could one day go on to save a life.'
Global News
23-05-2025
- Global News
Alberta judge grants bail for man convicted of 1987 murder after new trial ordered
Decades after Roy Allan Sobotiak was sentenced to life for the killing of an Edmonton woman, the 61-year-old is set to walk out of prison. Alberta Court of King's Bench Justice Eric Macklin granted bail Friday to Sobotiak, who was convicted in 1991 for the murder of Susan Kaminsky. His conviction was quashed in February and a new trial was ordered. Macklin told court that Sobotiak is considered legally innocent and must be granted release. Lawyer James Lockyer said his client was to be released later in the day. 'Thirty-six years is a very long time for someone to be in jail,' said Lockyer, who has worked on the case with Innocence Canada. 'It's a good day for him, it's a good day for justice. But he's going to find it difficult getting back into a world he doesn't know.' Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's a good day for him, it's a good day for justice. But he's going to find it difficult getting back into a world he doesn't know." Story continues below advertisement 'I think he'll find a lot of things in the world quite frightening, but he's going to have good support as soon as he gets out and thereafter. So I'm confident he'll manage.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Sobotiak was 26 when he was charged with first-degree murder in the 1987 killing of Kaminsky. The 34-year-old mother, whose body was never found, disappeared after a night out with friends at a north end pub. She was last seen with Sobotiak. The trial heard Sobotiak told an undercover officer that he tortured, sexually assaulted, killed and dismembered Kaminsky before disposing of her body in the garbage. Sobotiak was convicted of second-degree murder. A conviction appeal was dismissed in 1994 and leave to appeal to Canada's top court was denied in 2004. He had been serving his sentence at a federal penitentiary in Alberta. Crown prosecutors agreed to Sobotiak's bail but said he should be kept under house arrest. Lockyer suggested a curfew. Sobotiak is to live in Fort McMurray and must abide by conditions, including a curfew, a travel restriction and electronic monitoring for three months. Innocence Canada, a non-profit that advocates against wrongful convictions, said Sobotiak has always insisted on his innocence. Lockyer said his client is the longest-serving wrongly convicted person in Canadian history, behind David Milgaard and Romeo Phillion. Story continues below advertisement In February, former federal justice minister Arif Virani quashed Sobotiak's conviction and ordered a new trial, saying a miscarriage of justice 'likely occurred.' Months later, lawyers for Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery filed a judicial review, arguing in court documents that Virani provided no reasoning why a new trial was warranted. Lockyer said he finds it surprising Alberta requested a review and Innocence Canada will be supporting Sobotiak and the federal government. 'We think it's unlikely to be successful, but that's not going to be our decision,' he said. Heather Jenkins, press secretary for Amery's office, said in an email Friday the ministry is unable to comment as the matter is before the courts. No date has been set for a new trial.
Hamilton Spectator
23-05-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Alberta judge grants bail for man convicted of 1987 murder after new trial ordered
EDMONTON - Decades after Roy Allan Sobotiak was sentenced to life for the killing of an Edmonton woman, the 61-year-old is set to walk out of prison. Alberta Court of King's Bench Justice Eric Macklin granted bail Friday to Sobotiak, who was convicted in 1991 for the murder of Susan Kaminsky. His conviction was quashed in February and a new trial was ordered. Macklin told court that Sobotiak is considered legally innocent and must be granted release. Lawyer James Lockyer said his client was to be released later in the day. 'Thirty-six years is a very long time for someone to be in jail,' said Lockyer, who has worked on the case with Innocence Canada. 'It's a good day for him, it's a good day for justice. But he's going to find it difficult getting back into a world he doesn't know. 'I think he'll find a lot of things in the world quite frightening, but he's going to have good support as soon as he gets out and thereafter. So I'm confident he'll manage.' Sobotiak was 26 when he was charged with first-degree murder in the 1987 killing of Kaminsky. The 34-year-old mother, whose body was never found, disappeared after a night out with friends at a north end pub. She was last seen with Sobotiak. The trial heard Sobotiak told an undercover officer that he tortured, sexually assaulted, killed and dismembered Kaminsky before disposing of her body in the garbage. Sobotiak was convicted of second-degree murder. A conviction appeal was dismissed in 1994 and leave to appeal to Canada's top court was denied in 2004. He had been serving his sentence at a federal penitentiary in Alberta. Crown prosecutors agreed to Sobotiak's bail but said he should be kept under house arrest. Lockyer suggested a curfew. Innocence Canada, a non-profit that advocates against wrongful convictions, said Sobotiak has always insisted on his innocence. Lockyer said his client is the longest-serving wrongly convicted person in Canadian history, behind David Milgaard and Romeo Phillion. In February, former federal justice minister Arif Virani quashed Sobotiak's conviction and ordered a new trial, saying a miscarriage of justice 'likely occurred.' Months later, lawyers for Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery filed a judicial review, arguing in court documents that Virani provided no reasoning why a new trial was warranted. Lockyer said he finds it surprising Alberta requested a review and Innocence Canada will be supporting Sobotiak and the federal government. 'We think it's unlikely to be successful, but that's not going to be our decision,' he said. Heather Jenkins, press secretary for Amery's office, said in an email Friday the ministry is unable to comment as the matter is before the courts. No date has been set for a new trial. Sobotiak is to live in Fort McMurray and must abide by conditions, including a curfew, a travel restriction and electronic monitoring for three months. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
23-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Alberta judge grants bail for man convicted of 1987 murder after new trial ordered
EDMONTON – Decades after Roy Allan Sobotiak was sentenced to life for the killing of an Edmonton woman, the 61-year-old is set to walk out of prison. Alberta Court of King's Bench Justice Eric Macklin granted bail Friday to Sobotiak, who was convicted in 1991 for the murder of Susan Kaminsky. His conviction was quashed in February and a new trial was ordered. Macklin told court that Sobotiak is considered legally innocent and must be granted release. Lawyer James Lockyer said his client was to be released later in the day. 'Thirty-six years is a very long time for someone to be in jail,' said Lockyer, who has worked on the case with Innocence Canada. 'It's a good day for him, it's a good day for justice. But he's going to find it difficult getting back into a world he doesn't know. 'I think he'll find a lot of things in the world quite frightening, but he's going to have good support as soon as he gets out and thereafter. So I'm confident he'll manage.' Sobotiak was 26 when he was charged with first-degree murder in the 1987 killing of Kaminsky. The 34-year-old mother, whose body was never found, disappeared after a night out with friends at a north end pub. She was last seen with Sobotiak. The trial heard Sobotiak told an undercover officer that he tortured, sexually assaulted, killed and dismembered Kaminsky before disposing of her body in the garbage. Sobotiak was convicted of second-degree murder. A conviction appeal was dismissed in 1994 and leave to appeal to Canada's top court was denied in 2004. He had been serving his sentence at a federal penitentiary in Alberta. Crown prosecutors agreed to Sobotiak's bail but said he should be kept under house arrest. Lockyer suggested a curfew. Innocence Canada, a non-profit that advocates against wrongful convictions, said Sobotiak has always insisted on his innocence. Lockyer said his client is the longest-serving wrongly convicted person in Canadian history, behind David Milgaard and Romeo Phillion. In February, former federal justice minister Arif Virani quashed Sobotiak's conviction and ordered a new trial, saying a miscarriage of justice 'likely occurred.' Months later, lawyers for Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery filed a judicial review, arguing in court documents that Virani provided no reasoning why a new trial was warranted. Lockyer said he finds it surprising Alberta requested a review and Innocence Canada will be supporting Sobotiak and the federal government. 'We think it's unlikely to be successful, but that's not going to be our decision,' he said. Heather Jenkins, press secretary for Amery's office, said in an email Friday the ministry is unable to comment as the matter is before the courts. No date has been set for a new trial. Sobotiak is to live in Fort McMurray and must abide by conditions, including a curfew, a travel restriction and electronic monitoring for three months. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2025.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Yahoo
Roy Sobotiak, Canada's longest-serving wrongfully convicted prisoner, granted bail after 35 years for Edmonton woman's murder
The Roy Sobotiak who walked into an Edmonton courtroom this week barely resembled the man in the photo that has accompanied news articles about his case for 35 years. The young man in the photo had dark brown hair, brown eyes, the barest trace of stubble. The man in court was grey — his long hair falling from the bare crown of his head to his neck. He wore a handlebar moustache, and a Cross on a necklace over a half-unzipped prisoner's jumpsuit. He furrowed his brow and smiled faintly as he sat in the prisoner's box, awaiting the judge. On Friday, Sobotiak, 61, was granted release from custody for the first time since his 1989 arrest for the murder of Susan Kaminsky. Earlier this year, then-federal Justice Minister Arif Virani tossed Sobotiak's conviction and ordered a new trial, saying a review of the case suggested Sobotiak was wrongfully convicted. Sobotiak's lawyers say he is the longest-serving wrongfully convicted prisoner in Canadian history. 'When he went in, Mr. Sobotiak said to me a couple days ago, cellphones only fit in briefcases,' defence lawyer James Lockyer told Court of King's Bench Justice Eric Macklin. 'One of the lawyers here was four years old when he went into custody.' Lockyer said the Alberta Crown — which is challenging Virani's decision overturning the conviction — has yet to decide whether it will retry Sobotiak. In the interim, Sobotiak plans to live in a group home in Fort McMurray. Macklin said as it stands, Sobotiak is legally innocent. He declined the Crown's request to order Sobotiak remain on house arrest, saying it was 'neither necessary nor reasonable in the circumstances.' Sobotiak was convicted of second-degree murder July 11, 1991, for the death of Kaminsky, who went missing in 1987 and has never been found. Kaminsky — Sobotiak's one-time babysitter — spent the evening before her disappearance with Sobotiak and his mother. She was 34. Police arrested Sobotiak for first-degree murder in 1989. Jurors found him guilty after a trial that hinged in part on video of Sobotiak admitting he killed Kaminsky. Sobotiak recently filed an application for a review of his case under section 696 of the Criminal Code. The federal justice minister, in a first, asked Innocence Canada to take on the case to ensure Sobotiak had legal counsel. The organization has helped exonerate 30 people, including David Milgaard. Virani, who was advised by a judge, later filed a 166-page report revealing problems with evidence disclosure and 'forensic issues' in the case. The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service's response 'strongly resisted, as strongly as you can imagine,' the minister's conclusions, Lockyer said. Lockyer said the fact the federal ministry decided to set aside the conviction is telling, noting they're 'hardly friends of Mr. Sobotiak.' 'They're prosecutors,' he said. Alberta Crown prosecutor Joanne Dartana agreed to Sobotiak's release but said he should remain on house arrest. She cited information from parole board reports and psychological assessments which found Sobotiak engaged in 'aggressive and violent sexual fantasies' and other concerning behaviour toward female corrections staff. He also allegedly possessed 'graphic' sexualized content, some of it homemade, some involving children, she said. Lockyer acknowledged the Crown painted a 'pretty unpleasant picture' of his client, but stressed Sobotiak has been in an 'unnatural environment' since he was 26. '(He has) insisted since Day 1 he shouldn't be there in the first place,' Lockyer said. 'It's hard to imagine the pressures he's been under for all those years.' He added: 'What's surprising, perhaps, and should be known, is he has not been charged with a street charge in 36 years of extreme frustration.' Lockyer opposed house arrest, saying it would 'swap one prison for another.' Macklin said the Crown's concerns could largely be addressed short of house arrest, with conditions such as curfews and residence requirements. He said putting Sobotiak on house arrest would be 'tantamount to substituting one prison, albeit a more relaxed one with a different jailer, for another.' The judge also made a point of criticizing the Edmonton Remand Centre, saying it was 'entirely inappropriate' Sobotiak was not provided street clothes before Friday's hearing. Sobotiak owns no non prison-issue clothing and 'hasn't got a penny to his name,' Lockyer said, noting Innocence Canada will be providing Sobotiak a 'reasonably substantial amount of money' to start rebuilding his life. Prior to Virani's decision, Sobotiak was incarcerated at Bowden Institution, located roughly 192 kilometres south of Edmonton. Before Sobotiak, the longest-serving wrongfully convicted person in Canadian history was Romeo Phillion, who spent more than 32 years in prison. jwakefield@ @ Alberta seeks judicial review of federal decision granting new trial to man convicted of murder in 1987 missing persons case Justice minister orders new trial for Edmonton man convicted of murder in 1991 You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun
