LaChance inquiry should continue

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Self-proclaimed white supremacist Carney Nerland wants to have an inquiry into the judicial systems' handling of the shooting of Leo LaChance stopped. He says, through his lawyers, the investigation into the death of the Whitefish Cree trapper violates his rights and goes against Ottawa's exclusive power to try criminal matters.

We are not legal experts and cannot say if the current inquiry falls perfectly in line with Canadian law. However, it would be a shame to see its efforts vanish over technicalities.

Nerland, on the other hand, should not presume he is the star attraction. The three-member panel is not conducting an appeal hearing of Nerland's conviction. It is examining how the police and courts handled the shooting death of a Native man and whether justice was served by those institutions.

Nerland's name has only been dragged into the proceedings as a central one because the RCMP will not say whether they used him as a secret informant.

Once this issue is cleared, Nerland will once again be relegated to his proper position as one part of a complicated, broad process. He should only start to harp about his personal rights if the inquiry starts recommending he be re-tried.

And Nerland should not expect gentle treatment in the court of public opinion. He should be prepared for heat; he is, after all, a publicly proclaimed racist organizers. What did he expect when he entered that particular kitchen?