A former principal of a private Christian school in Saskatoon, Duff Friesen, is facing five counts of assault with a weapon for allegedly using a wooden paddle to assault students between 1997 and 2007 at Christian Centre Academy, now known as Legacy Christian Academy and Valour Academy, affiliated with Encounter Church, formerly Mile Two Church. The prosecution and defense presented their closing arguments in court.
During the trial’s final week, the jury heard testimonies from five former students who claimed they were assaulted with a wooden paddle, as well as from defense witnesses, including one who mentioned that the paddle was part of a school discipline policy signed by parents.
Defense lawyer Daniel Mol argued that the memories of the former students, dating back over two decades, were unreliable and contradictory, questioning their credibility. He emphasized that the burden of proof lies with the Crown.
One defense witness, Lou Brunelle, testified that the school’s discipline protocol involved three paddle swats followed by a prayer. The Crown prosecutor, Sheryl Fillo, highlighted that the use of terms like “paddling” or “spanking” downplays the severity of the crime, emphasizing that it constitutes assault with a weapon.
The Crown’s case included witnesses like Coy Nolin, who described being paddled multiple times by Friesen, emphasizing the emotional impact on the victims. Fillo urged the jury to focus on whether Friesen had struck the students with a paddle during the specified time frame listed in the charges.
The trial is expected to conclude with instructions from Justice Daryl Labach before the jury begins deliberations.
