SECTION THE HERALD Wednesday Mart J acquitted of cops public mischief charges J PEDER1AN Herald Staff Writer Brampton businessman Dietrich acquitted of public mischief Feb at Provincial Court Judge Latimer conclud ed the Crown unable to prove Mr had know ingly lax complaint of perjury against a Georgetown police officer April Calling Mr Weindl accu sation gainst Sergeant J awn Field strongly suspicious the judge said Mr had no evidential basis for laying charges of perjury except in own embittered mind By acquitting Mr Weindl Judge Latimer acknowl edging Mr sincerity In laying his complaint against a member of the regional force The businessman made com- at the Georgetown quarters of the force April accusing Sgt Field or committing perjury at Mr Weindl i divorce proceeding earlier that month and of conspiring with former wife Crystal her lawyer and a la to commit perjury One be charged with a criminal offence persisting in ones belief Weed wars Defence Attorney Michael Harpur said He disagreed with the proce dure which Staff Sgt Ron Southgate followed In requir ing Mr to sign a form slating be was withdrawing complaint Aug IS or else fa- charges of public mischief CHARGE HIM I asked If he could give me any evidence which he couldnt Sgt said Jan Milton Provincial Court I told him that since there was no evidence I was giving him an opportunity to withdraw his complaints and I could charge him with public mischief Mr maintained the police could hove said Im sorry we don agree and not have insisted Mr Weindl sign the release form when he waa unsatisfied with the lion Into his complaints come away from the proceedings thinking he was said of his client There Is no offence In the criminal code that If you dont withdraw a complaint you are eligible for another charge Mr Harpur said It is only necessary that Mr belief that he was perjured Is sincere and not that the Keith Leslie will once again wage war on the towns rural weed problem a Job he been doing for last eight year Council endorsed his appointment for a ninth term Monday night and agreed to pay him a salary Asked whether the position should be tendered out clerkadministrator Ken Richardson told the towns general committee but week that Mr Leslie appointment Is In the best interest of the town because of his experience with the Job and knowledge of weed control Sixtyone properties were Inspected in Hills for weed problems last summer Noxious can Tout crops and present special concern over cattle grazing on weeds which could taint flavor of milk should be able to find his complaint true There no question but that Mr and was about his complaints Mr said drawing on the earlier testimonies of Sgts Wayne Jesaop and Ron South- gate The two officer lesti tied that Mr appeared sincere when laying com- SIGN FORM Toronto lawyer Paul accompanied Mr when he met with Sgt Aug at the Georgetown station He said the staff sergeant asked Mr to sign a form to Indicate that he was satisfied with the Inve stigation of his complaint and that be would Individuals mentioned in the complaint I suggested he withdraw the complaint without indicat ing he was satisfied or exonerating anybody said And we continue the complaint to the Police Commission or the ombudsman Following the Aug ing Mr said he took his clients complaints to the commission the chief of police and the ombudsman on the instructions or Mr who wanted to continue with his complaints TRYING TO When asked why he advised his client to withdraw his charges Mr said he was trying to avoid having Mr Weindl charged with public mischief I felt the officer was trying to coerce my client Into ha complaint Mr Stan testified during the cross examination I dont have much con fidence In the ability of one officer to investigate another officer Mr Slan said Southgate said he read transcripts of Mr Welndls divorce hearing and interview Individuals accused of con spiring to commit perjury before concluding Mr Weindl caused police to enter a false investigation Crown a Homey Ayrc said the method used by South- gate Wconvlnce Mr Weindl sign the release form was a method of diversion commonly used by police Mr was also put on the stand and expressed feel logs that he has been perse cuted by the Georgetown police since 1973 testifying that he begged protection from the force from Judge Galllgan last sprit B during hi divorce proceeding He claimed an All Point Bulletin had been put out on him in warning that he was heavily armed and dangerous about it when stopped at a m by seven police cars on High way to and searched One of the Peel regional police offic ers at the scene told him of the fact Mr said I went lo the Georgetown police the next day and told by Inspector John Barrett that there ha an t been an AJB out on me Mr Weindl testified this stopped Mr Weindl said I also said he Field could opologiie to me and I would withdraw It complaint Mr Weindl said during his meeting the sergeant had said Why jpjp Into signing this possibly go perjury that he had replied Why out of here without signing should the police have never he testified dropped anything on me meeting I was actually told at one Is blackmail voluntary I involved Mr said point youre not going to get It voluntary when Im forced I suggest your complaint unfounded the Aug to Jail I think Its extortion because see a money behind every tree wearing a ARE YOU GOING TO SPEND ANOTHER WINTER HEATING THE GREAT OUTDOORS