US EditionAlberta Defence Lawyers Call for Criminal Probe Into Edmonton Police Chief, Lawyer
The lawyers’ group says the police chief and legal director tried to pressure prosecutors and threatened to disclose case details.
- The Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association urged Alberta Justice Minister Mickey Amery on Tuesday to launch a criminal investigation into Edmonton Police Service Chief Warren Driechel and legal director Megan Hankewich for potential obstruction of justice, extortion, and intimidation.
- Following a September 2025 incident, Driechel and Hankewich publicly pressured the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service to reject a plea deal in the manslaughter case of Ashley Rattlesnake, with Hankewich warning police might release case details if the eight-year sentence was approved.
- In his February 2026 ruling, Court of King's Bench Justice Jody Fraser called the police comments "reprehensible," suggesting their "veiled threat" may have constituted obstruction of justice and citing the conduct as a "somewhat" mitigating factor in sentencing.
- Despite Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's initial support for the police intervention, Minister Amery has taken no action in six months, while at least three complaints against Hankewich have been filed with the Law Society of Alberta.
- Former RCMP investigator Neil LeMay also requested a formal review of Driechel's leadership, arguing public confidence in the justice system requires maintaining the separation between police and prosecutors; the Edmonton Police Commission is currently reviewing his complaint.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association calls for criminal probe into Edmonton police chief, lawyer
The Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association says serious questions surround Chief Warren Driechel and police lawyer Megan Hankewich for their statements about a recent manslaughter case involving the death of an eight-year-old girl named Nina Napope.
The Toronto Star
Alberta defence lawyers call for criminal probe into Edmonton police chief, lawyer
The Criminal Trial Lawyers' Association says Chief Warren Driechel and police lawyer Megan Hankowich need to be investigated for their statements about a manslaughter case involving an eight-year-old girl.
Alberta lawyers, former Mountie call for criminal probe into Edmonton police chief, lawyer
A former Mountie and the Criminal Trial Lawyers' Assoc. say the EPS chief and lawyer should be investigated for their involvement in eight-year-old Nina Napope's manslaughter case.
Alberta defence lawyers call for criminal probe into Edmonton's police chief
A group representing Alberta’s defence lawyers says Edmonton’s police chief and the police department’s top lawyer may have committed criminal acts and need to be investigated. The Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association says serious questions surround Chief Warren Driechel and police lawyer Megan Hankewich for their statements about a recent manslaughter case involving the death of […]
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