Chris Messer calls for public inquiry after Crown ignores judge's order

A court decision made public Friday reveals Crown prosecutors refused a judge’s order to produce a police file in the Chris Messer case.

Messer is a suspended Saint John police officer who, after spending years fighting criminal charges, is now trying to clear his name.

Court of Queen's Bench Justice Judy Clendening found there were unreasonable delays in the case. She said the Crown totally disregarded her order to produce important information about the case.

Messer and his wife, Sarah, say their ordeal began in 2010 when someone broke into their home. Three weeks later, a drive-by shooting took place and shots were fired into their house while they were home.

Messer, who had tried to get involved in the investigation of his own case, was later charged and suspended on complaints from two men who alleged they had frightening encounters with him.

Messer calls for public inquiry

Now clear of criminal charges, Messer wants a public inquiry.

"There's going to be a lot of people in high-ranking positions in this province that are going to have to answer some very serious questions," he said.

Messer's lawyer had asked for the police file on the drive-by shooting investigation back in October 2013.

In February 2014, Clendening agreed the defence had to have the file to make their case. The judge gave the Crown a week to produce it.

Two months after that — on the day the trial was to begin — the Crown conceded in court that despite the judge's order, it wouldn't produce the file.

Messer believes the file connects criminal informants with the break-in and shooting at his home.

"I don't know how they could refuse to turn over evidence like that and hang a policeman. They threw me under the bus so bad, it's unreal,” he said.

While Messer no longer faces criminal charges, city police confirmed today he still faces hearings under the Police Act. A serious violation could cost him his career.