Man found guilty of abusing students

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Although a guilty verdict was delivered against George Albert Zimmerman in court of Queen's Bench on Nov. 19, the case against the 57-year-old Zimmerman is far from being closed.

Zimmerman was found guilty on 12 of 16 sex-related charges involving girls 14 years of age and under at the Prince Albert Indian Student Residence between 1976-83. Zimmerman's ex-wife was a dormitory supervisor in one of the residence's cottages at the time the incidents occurred. Zimmerman was found guilty of nine counts of indecent assault, one count of attempt sexual intercourse. Four other charges were stayed as the result of a hung jury, but those can be retried in the future if prosecutors feel they an be proven.

Prince Albert Grand Council, which took over administration of the student residences in 1983, has indicated that an inquiry into the affair will be in place in the near future to deal with the possibility of future allegations arising from the results of the recent case. Prince Albert City Police are also preparing for future allegations, but the magnitude of what could occur is hard to determine at this time as few people will comment on the matter.

Jerry McLeod, a director at the Prince Albert Indian Student Residence, refused to comment on the case and even went as far as to say that all staff are out-of bounds to the media when this particular subject is raised.

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation chief Ron Michel and vice-chief Phil Morin could not be reached for comment, but it is expected that they will be involve din an inquiry as the student residences are located on their land in Prince Albert's city limits. Morin has indicated through other media that counselling will be provided to the victims in this case and that a policy introduced in q1993 restricts spouses of employees' from living in the residences where children are housed.

Zimmerman is free on his own recognizance until sentencing which will take place Jan. 3 of next year.