Pickton Trial

"He Didn't Act Alone:" Giselle Ireson's Testimony

prostitution, Vancouver Downtown Eastside, Robert Pickton, Piggy's Palace

She testified she asked for a "car date," but he wanted her to come to the farm.


The man, who identified himself as "Willie" Pickton, vetoed the idea of having a "car date" or going back to the room she had at the Cobalt Hotel on Main Street. Instead, he wanted her to go out to his farm. '
By Citizen Correspondent Trisha Baptie
Date Posted: 06/04/07
Reader Rating: rating

"It's just my personal opinion - he didn't act alone" were the words uttered by a 36-year-old Giselle Ireson in Thursday's session of court. Ms. Ireson, who lived in the Downtown Eastside at various times in her life and supported herself as a sex trade worker, testified that as she was walking past the Patricia Hotel on Hastings Street in the early evening of late 1998, she saw a blue Chevrolet car parked in the lot. She approached the vehicle to see if the occupant was looking for a date...

When Ms. Ireson was asked to describe Mr. Pickton, she pointed and said "He's right there." She later described a discussion at the vehicle as being very "messy." The man, who identified himself as "Willie" Pickton, vetoed the idea of having a "car date" or going back to the room she had at the Cobalt Hotel on Main Street. Instead, he wanted her to go out to his farm. She also recalls a stiletto shoe and some rope being in the car. It was decided that they would meet the following Thursday. Before they went their separate ways, Pickton bought her some cigarettes and munchies and lent Ireson some money.

Ms. Ireson missed the scheduled Thursday meeting but bumped into Pickton a few weeks later. She testified to being dope-sick that day and so she asked Pickton for some money for a score. He did give her some money, and after scoring, she realized it was fake dope. She went back to the spot where she saw Pickton and he was still there. After telling him what happened, he gave her more money.

When questioned, she said she was absolutely sure that's what happened between her and Pickton.

*****

In court on Thursday there were less media than had been there earlier in the week, but in the general seating of Courtroom 102, I saw more new faces than I have since the trial started. There was even an "Oh my God, there he is" whispered behind me as Pickton entered court.

Other testimony came from Juanita Maginily, who worked as a street nurse in the DTES. She was a very short and brief witness, mostly discussing the condoms that the street nurses handed out.


1 | 2 | 3 next








Tags:

Comments

Absolutely. Just to let you

By Cree woman, June 4, 2007 at 19:56

Absolutely. Just to let you beautiful ladies know that even though you don't get much feedback, there are still many who are watching the trial through your eyes. I have sent the message out to many. Amazing women.

It must be so hard to sit

By Trina Ricketts, June 4, 2007 at 15:53

It must be so hard to sit through these court sessions. I applaud your resilience and determination and I hope you have a strong support system. It's so important that there is a record of this trial from the perspective of a (former) sex worker. I hope you realize how incredibly important this work you're doing is and how much it is appreciated by all of us who are or have been a part of the sex industry. My hats off to you and Pauline.

Editor's Picks

Palin The Surprise Pick For McCain

By Citizen Correspondent Wyatt McIntyre
After days, weeks and month’s of speculation the announcement finally came. Since... Full Story »