Vernon RCMP defend their arrest of a former teacher and vice-principal on perjury charges.
Deborah Louise Ashton, 46, pleaded not guilty in February to three sex-related charges in connection with an alleged sexual relationship with a former student. A jury could not reach a unanimous verdict in the two-week trial, and a hung jury was declared.
Crown counsel informed Supreme Court Monday that they were planning to re-try Ashton on the charges, and it was Ashton who told Vernon Supreme Court and the media after court proceedings Monday about the perjury charges.
Ashton told the media she was arrested on the perjury charges Friday morning by RCMP at Vernon Jubilee Hospital while she was awaiting a diagnostic examination, that she was taken back to the RCMP detachment, placed “in cell no. 2” and later interrogated before being released.
“Obviously a few issues presented themselves during the trial, and Crown asked our officers to investigate and provide them with details,” said Vernon RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk Monday afternoon. “Our general investigation section responded to Crown’s request. Information was sent to Crown. As a result, Crown approved two charges of perjury against Deborah Ashton.
“The warrant was issued Thursday, April 7, and she was arrested April 8.”
Molendyk said police used a great deal of discretion in this matter, stating that they did not wish to arrest Ashton at her residence or in the presence of her family.
“Police noticed her driving to the hospital and waited until she was by herself,” he said. “Plain clothes officers approached her, discreetly asked her if they could speak with her. She left hospital with them, out to their vehicle, where she was notified of her arrest and brought back here (detachment).”
Molendyk confirmed Ashton was placed into a cell, which he stated was common practice when arrested individuals are brought to the detachment to be processed.
“We prepare, we set up the interview rooms, there are certain protocols we must follow for court procedures,” said Molendyk. “Our officers did that. They had an opportunity to interview here. At all times the officers were aware she was arrested at the hospital. She was going in for an x-ray. They didn’t take her out of emergency or a surgical room. She was asked many times if she was okay, they followed through on how her condition was, then released her.”
RCMP, like the Attorney General Criminal Justice Branch, speaking on behalf of Crown counsel in the case, would not comment on the specifics of the perjury charges.
Ashton said she wouldn’t comment on them without speaking to her lawyer.
Ashton is slated to answer the perjury charges in Vernon Provincial Court on May 12.
Crown counsel applied to have exhibits released from the first trial. That matter, plus fixing a second date on the sex charges, was put over until May 16.