1st of 2 jury trials begins for former principal of Saskatoon private Christian school accused of assault

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/1st-2-jury-trial-former-principal-private-christian-school-1.7533041

The former principal of a private Christian school in Saskatoon is getting his day in court.

Duff Arthur Friesen’s jury trial at Court of King’s Bench before Justice Natasha Crooks began Monday in Saskatoon. Friesen is facing 11 counts of assault, all stemming from allegations that, as principal of Legacy Christian Academy in the 2003-2004 school year, he hit students with a wooden paddle.

The school has since changed its name to Valour Academy.

Seven days have been set aside this month for the trial. It will deal with four of the charges, with the remaining seven examined in a separate jury trial in September.

Crooks granted a publication ban requested by Friesen. Her order prevents reporting on “any evidence led, submissions made, exhibits filed, or victim impact statements in the event sentencing is required,” she wrote April 7.

“To be clear, this publication ban does not extend to the verdict rendered in the May Jury Trial, any plea which may be entered in relation to the charges, nor to any sentence which may be imposed by the Court.”

In his application, Friesen argued that ongoing media coverage of the trial this month may prejudice the jury in the September trial.

Crooks agreed that the proximity of the upcoming trial “and the highly publicized nature of this case increases the risk of bias among the potential jury pool.”