Mike on Crime

By Mike McIntyre
Winnipeg Free Press

The RCMP have reached a critical stage in their investigation of an eight-year-old murder mystery and will decide whether to “fish or cut bait” by this summer, a Crown attorney told a Winnipeg courtroom Friday.

The suggestion that a development in the case is near came in response to a bid by several local media outlets — including the Free Press — to unseal court documents surrounding the high-profile October 2000 Beverly Rowbotham slaying just north of Winnipeg.

Mike Luchenko, a prosecutor from B.C., who is representing the interests of the Mounties, told court that such public disclosure could be disastrous to the chances of a successful arrest and prosecution.

He said the search warrant affidavits contain evidence that “only the murderer would know” and must remain protected.

“The forensic evidence is unique in this case. To evaluate any witness or suspect requires the confidentiality of such information,” said Luchenko.

“There are core matters in each criminal investigation, the secrecy of which are essential… and should not be put out to the general public.”

Luchenko said independent Crown counsel are currently reviewing the police file and are “on the cusp” of deciding the next move. He told court that a deadline of June 30 has been set internally.

“We say this on the hope, perhaps the prayer, that there will develop something that will bring relief (to the Rowbotham family) in one form or another,” he said.

Lawyer Robert Tapper, who is representing all the media outlets fighting for access, said the veil of secrecy should be lifted immediately given the passage of time and the fact no arrests have been made.

Queen’s Bench Justice Joan McKelvey has adjourned her decision until next week.

The Free Press successfully challenged portions of the search warrants in 2006 by arguing there was a valid public interest. McKelvey only restricted public access to materials dealing with forensic aspects of the case.

The documents revealed the RCMP immediately identified Rowbotham’s husband, Mark Stobbe, as a suspect in her slaying, yet had been unable to gather enough evidence to file charges.

Stobbe has always maintained his innocence.

The RCMP cold-case unit took over the investigation in 2005, and police have remained tight-lipped about what, if any, progress has been made.

Tapper told McKelvey on Friday that unsealing the remaining portions of the search warrants might actually help the case by bringing forward new witnesses or evidence.

“The public, upon learning certain things, can often be of great assistance to the police,” he said.

Rowbotham, 42, was found dead inside her tan Ford Crown Victoria in a gas station parking lot in Selkirk in the early morning of Oct. 25, 2000.

Rowbotham, Stobbe and their children had moved from Regina about five months before the slaying when Stobbe accepted a senior position on the provincial cabinet’s community and economic development committee.