Supreme Court won’t hear trial delay arguments of convicted health inspector

OTTAWA – The Supreme Court of Canada has decided not to hear the case of a corrupt public health inspector who was complaining of trial delays.

Kerry Wong, a Toronto health inspector, was convicted in January 2010 of trying to extort $1,400 from a couple who owned a bar.

Wong was initially charged in July 2007, but his trial only began in November 2009.

Two lower courts rejected Wong’s argument that his rights were violated because his case took so long to come to trial.

In rejecting Wong’s appeal, the Ontario Court of Appeal noted that the court system is stretched to its limits and is undermining the right of some accused to a speedy trial.

As usual, the Supreme Court gave no reasons for its decision.