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Maurice lawsuit rightly dropped

Hopefully, the long ordeal for Eddie and Jessica Maurice is over.

The $100,000 lawsuit against Eddie Maurice by Ryan Randy Watson was dropped on Jan. 16, putting an end to an ordeal that started when Watson and a co-accused decided to rifle through the Maurices' vehicle for some loose change back at 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 24, 2018. 

Of course, what happened next has been part of the national news story for close to two years, as Eddie, who was alone with his nearly infant daughter, used his .22 and fired shot some warning shots. One of which ricocheted and hit Watson in the wrist.

The result was Maurice was charged with illegal use of firearms, which was ultimately dropped.

Right from the get-go, the lawsuit against Maurice had no legs – other than to create further animosity towards Watson.

Watson has said he may seek to have Maurice’s charges re-looked at using something called private prosecution — something a private citizen can do if he or she feels there was an error in the police work, with the Crown and others.

Apparently, it’s about as common as a Toronto Maple Leaf parade.

Hopefully, Watson won’t choose to do so and the Maurices can put all of this behind them.

If there is one good thing to come out of this it is the spotlight on rural crime and it will continue to do so.

The quiet Edouard Maurice said he will continue to advocate rural crime prevention — he has, likely reluctantly, had his named attached to every rural crime story across the nation.

And if Watson has issues, he was found with methamphetamines at the time, let’s make sure resources are available for him and others if need be.

For the Maurices, it looks likes they can finally move on.

And any family trips won’t be shot down due to a court date.




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