Thatcher's book offers no wisdom to profit from
point of view
Posted By MINDELLE JACOBS
Posted 5 months ago
It is unlikely many people will read convicted killer Colin Thatcher's new book in which he argues he was framed for his ex-wife's murder. But if anyone does buy the book, the Saskatchewan government expects Thatcher, who served 22 years in jail for the killing, to hand over every penny he makes from the sales.
Saskatchewan passed special proceeds of crime legislation in the spring and the province's justice officials are confident the law is broadly worded enough to capture Thatcher's book, Final Appeal: Anatomy of a Frame.
The Profits of Criminal Notoriety Act includes the phrase "thoughts or feelings" about a particular crime which the authorities believe will allow them to seize any profits Thatcher makes from his book.
Recounting a crime even "indirectly" allows the Saskatchewan government to step in and take an author's proceeds.
As a matter of fact, if the act applies to Thatcher's book, the former Saskatchewan cabinet minister would be required to tell his publisher to send Thatcher's cut straight to the attorney general.
Thatcher's Toronto publisher, Jack David of ECW Press, maintains the book doesn't breach the legislation because the gruesome details of the 1983 murder of Thatcher's ex-wife JoAnn Wilson are not included.
The law hasn't been tested yet so it remains to be seen whether a judge will view Final Appeal as an effort by Thatcher to financially exploit the notoriety of his crime or as just a tedious whine-fest by an arrogant killer.
Wilson was savagely beaten and shot in the garage of her Regina home after a bitter divorce and a lengthy custody and property battle. Her broken body was covered in wounds -- the classic overkill of a vengeful ex-husband.
Thatcher appealed all the way to the Supreme Court of Canada, which dismissed his case in 1987, observing that there was "very strong evidence" connecting Thatcher to Wilson's murder.
In his book, he argues that the Crown withheld evidence that could have exonerated him. If Thatcher's primary aim was to profit from his crime, he will undoubtedly fail. His book is a plodding, unconvincing head-bobber.
When push comes to shove, the Saskatchewan government may have virtually nothing to seize.
