Derek Finkle to Receive Freedom to Read Award from The Writers' Union of Canada
The Writers' Union of Canada has chosen as its Freedom to Read award recipient for 2008, Toronto author Derek Finkle. Finkle, a former editor of
Toro magazine, wrote the book
No Claim to Mercy, which cast doubt on the murder conviction of Robert Baltovich. A new trial was ordered for Baltovich in preparation for which the Ontario Crown subpoenaed all of Finkle's material relating to the book. Finkle, supported by five writer's organizations, successfully challenged the subpoena.
"Derek Finkle showed considerable courage and determination in standing up to the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General and all its resources," said Susan Swan, chair of The Writers' Union. "Had the Crown succeeded in obtaining that material, it would have cast a chill on writers who are determined to unearth wrongful convictions in the justice system."
