Convicted Sex Offender Blames Media for Forcing Him Out of School Board Race

Convicted sex offender Denis Hall withdraws from Saskatoon Catholic school board race

'They misrepresent me and my ancient past,' Hall says

in email to CBC about media reports

CBC News

   Denis Hall is taking his name off the ballot for Catholic school board trustee. (Greater Saskatoon
   Catholic Schools' election website).

Convicted sex offender Denis Hall is withdrawing his bid to become a trustee with the Saskatoon Catholic school board.

In 1981, Hall pleaded guilty to two charges of indecent assault, as well as two charges of having sex with females aged 14 to 16, according to court documents. He was pardoned in 1994, the documents say.

CBC News reported on his past and, less than 24 hours later, he pulled out of the race.

"The use of the terms 'pedophile' and 'sexual assault' by the mainstream media are completely and categorically false," he said in an email to CBC News.

Technically, the term 'pedophile' is incorrect although it is often used to describe men attracted to teen girls. The correct term is 'pederast', which is only marginally better than pedophile. The difference is, in my books, pederasts are sexually attracted to teens while pedophiles are attracted to pre-pubescent children although, I think, less sexually attracted than excited about the destruction of innocence, ie violating the sacred! The former is entirely lust-driven, the latter has a strong spiritual element.

The term 'sexual assault' implies a forcing of someone against their will. Hall seems to think there was mutual agreement with these 14 to 16 year old girls, although, looking at him, such a thing is somewhat incredulous. He ought to know that even if there was, it is still called rape - statutory rape. Rape implies a lack of mutual agreement, or agreement that came about as a result of an unbalanced relationship or abuse of authority/power. If he still doesn't understand that, he has no place in a position of authority over school children.

"They misrepresent me and my ancient past in the worst possible light, and render untenable my continuance as a candidate, as well as my ability to serve on the board should I have been elected."

Church officials urged Hall to withdraw from the race to become a school trustee once his past became public.

Hall had met the legal requirements to qualify as a candidate, and there is nothing to stop convicted offenders from running for election as school trustees.