CAA jury has convicted Duff Arthur Friesen, former principal of Saskatoon Christian school (now Valour Academy), on three counts of assault with a weapon involving former students, while finding him not guilty on two other charges. The convictions cover incidents occurring between September 1997 and June 2007, where Friesen allegedly used a paddle to strike students without their consent. Defence lawyer Daniel Mol argued that witness testimonies could be influenced by external factors, including a class-action lawsuit by former students. The court acknowledged the school's historical policy of using paddles for punishment and noted that some students viewed Friesen's actions as more severe than parental spankings. Several former colleagues testified in Friesen's favor, including Louis Brunelle, who admitted to being involved in the school's disciplinary practices and is named in a ongoing lawsuit alleging systemic abuse.
Bias read (Center): While the subject involves a legal proceeding with potential implications for educational policies and institutional accountability, the article presents both prosecution and defense arguments fairly. It includes testimony from multiple perspectives, former students, staff members, and legal counsel
