Dalton still awaiting compensation

Ronald Dalton, the St. John's man whose eight-year turmoil in the Newfoundland and Labrador justice system was examined in the Lamer Inquiry, is still waiting for promised compensation. The other two men whose discredited murder convictions were examined in the same inquiry have already been awarded millions in compensation.

On Thursday, Randy Druken was awarded $2 million in compensation from the government and Greg Parsonshas already received $1.3 million in compensation. Both Parsons andDruken werewrongfully convicted of murder.

Dalton was convicted of second degree murder in 1988 following the death of his wife, Brenda. He was found not guilty in a second trial, but only after a painful eight-year wait in prison for an appeal to be heard.

The government apologized to Dalton in June for the wayhe was treated by the justice system and said it would negotiate compensation within six months. But Dalton says that hasn't happened.

"The minister had suggested at the time he'd like to have six months to negotiate compensation without having to go back to Lamer, or going through a court process," Dalton says. "At this point in my own case,I don't know where exactly that stands, other than we responded to their invitation. We're waiting to hear back from government."