Deny, Deny, Deny (Second Edition)

About the Book

Not since the trial of Louis Riel in 1885 had Western Canada seen such a courtroom drama. Colin Thatcher, millionaire rancher, son of former Saskatchewan Premier Ross Thatcher, a Member of the Saskatchewan Legislature and a former cabinet minister in his own right, charged with the brutal slaying of his ex-wife JoAnn. A fifteen-month police investigation, capped by a wire-tapped recording of the accused politician in conversation with his accomplice. The battle before the jury entranced the entire nation as the outcome was uncertain to the very end. But the jury rejected Thatcher's credo "Deny, Deny, Deny" and convicted the victim's former husband who had regarded himself as above the law. The sentence? Life imprisonment without eligibility for parole for twenty-five years.

Colin Thatcher refused to accept the verdict of the jury. He appealed. And appealed. And appealed. First, to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal. Then to the Supreme Court of Canada. Then to the Minister of Justice, claiming "new evidence" entitled him to a new trial. The Colin Thatcher case continued for fifteen years after the 1984 guilty verdict, and continues today. A jury trial is scheduled for Moose Jaw in October 2000 as the convicted murderer seeks a reduction in his twenty-five year period of parole ineligibility.

Deny, Deny, Deny tells the entire story of Colin Thatcher, his background, his family's wealth, his story-book marriage that somehow went sour, his stormy political career. The overpowering personality that made him above the law - almost. And the inside story of the police investigation that at last brought Colin Thatcher to justice.

This new and expanded version of the 1985 best-seller carries Colin Thatcher another fifteen years. Through his many appeals, his career in prison, and his skilful manipulation of the media while he campaigned from behind bars to be accepted as another of the wrongfully convicted, another David Milgaard. And the new evidence that even further confirms the guilt of the cunning politician.

About the Author

A senior Regina lawyer, Garrett Wilson, QC, was a key Liberal during the administration of Premier Ross Thatcher, Colin's father. His background made him familiar with the principal players in the Thatcher case long before it came to national attention. His long association with the Regina police as counsel gives him insight to the long and difficult - and continuing - investigation. Garrett has continued to follow the Thatcher case during the more than fifteen years since the original trial ended.

Garrett has also written Diefenbaker for the Defence (Lorimer, 1988), an account of the legal career of the former prime minister, and Guilty Addictions (NeWest, 1999), a fictional account of corruption in the government of Saskatchewan that was short-listed for two awards.