2 more eagle poachers sentenced

After two men were sentenced this week in a highly publicized eagle poaching case in North Vancouver, the Sto:lo First Nation is demanding that several band members still facing charges be transferred to its aboriginal justice system.

There have been five convictions so far in the alleged poaching ring, after dozens of mutilated eagle carcasses were found on the Burrard First Nation reserve near North Vancouver in 2005.

Those convictions include the two men who were sentenced in provincial court in Surrey on Tuesday. Wesley Francis, who pleaded guilty to two counts of trafficking and killing eagles, was sentenced to 45 days in jail and fined $2,800. Thomas Lawrence Shaw, who pleaded guilty to one count of trafficking, was sentenced to 20 days and fined $1,850.

Ten others still face charges, including several members of the Sto:lo First Nation.

But Sto:lo Nation Grand Chief Clarence Pennier said Wednesday that he doesn't think band members charged with trafficking eagle parts should appear in provincial court. Hesaid that, because eagles are sacred to the band, the band should handle the situation.

He also alleged that those charged were coerced into confessing because police were desperate to charge someone.

"Because it was such a large media event, somebody had to eventually get charged for those kind of things," said Pennier.

For those reasons the cases should be handed over to the Sto:lo justice program where they would be handled through group discussions with elders and other band members, Pennier said.

Difficult to transfer cases now, AG says

But B.C. Attorney General Wally Oppal said Wednesday that it could be difficult to shift the case from the provincial justice system to the band because the cases are already before the courts.

The band's request has been forwarded to regional Crown counsel, said Oppal.

Oppal also said he wasn't aware of any police wrongdoing in the case.

Bald eagles are on Canada's protected species list.

Under B.C. law, a person convicted of poaching or trafficking in eagle parts could be fined as much as $50,000 for a first offence. Federal law is much tougher, with a fine of up to $150,000 and a five-year prison sentence.