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[Keetch’s] force only found out about the plea deal after officers who were escorting the men to and from their court appearances overheard them discussing it

While it’s too late to change the outcome of the case, Keetch said the ministry’s office is keen to meet to discuss the issue.

“We’ll live with the decision, but I want to see the process change for the future so the circumstances that led up to the resolution to this doesn’t happen again,” Keetch said. “I’m looking to effect policy and/or procedural change.”

The police chief said he wants to know why his lead investigators were shut out of the negotiations and why prosecutors denied a deal was in the works.

Keetch told The Canadian Press his force only found out about the plea deal after officers who were escorting the men to and from their court appearances overheard them discussing it.

After repeated questioning… The Crown’s regional office finally admitted two weeks ago the men would plead to lesser charges

“We were hearing these rumours and we were asking the Crown if there was a resolution in the works and we were told there was no deal,” Keetch said.

After repeated questioning, Keetch said, the Crown’s regional office finally admitted two weeks ago the men would plead to lesser charges. The first-degree murder trial was slated to begin in October following a lengthy preliminary hearing.

Keetch said he was told the plea deal was first suggested after prosecutors from outside the area were asked to weigh in on the case.

Now he wants the Attorney General to review that process.

There is significant differences in the sense of the evidence we gathered and what was presented in court

The chief also took issue with the agreed statement of facts that was read in court last week.