New Crown attorney to take over next month

Kelly Weeks says she has big shoes to fill when she becomes Algoma District's Crown attorney next month.

The Sault Ste. Marie assistant Crown attorney was recently named to the chief prosecutor's job - an appointment that marks the first time a woman has headed the local office.

"I think it's an exciting opportunity . . . an opportunity for me to develop additional skills, " Weeks said in an interview Thursday. "When I look at who's gone before me, it's an illustrious list. I have big shoes to fill."

Weeks begins her new job on Feb. 2 and replaces Bill Johnson, who has been the Crown attorney since 2009 and with the prosecutor's office since 1979.

Johnson took over from Glen Wasyliniuk, who served in the position for 20 years. 

"Kelly's an extremely talented lawyer and I think she will do a good job as Crown attorney," Johnson said.

There is talented support staff and Crowns in the office, he said, adding "I'm sure they will continue to provide great criminal prosecution services in the district."

Weeks, 52, and her office of six assistant Crown attornies prosecute cases in the District of Algoma, an area that stretches from Wawa to Elliot Lake.

Based in the Sault, they are not only involved in prosecutions at the local courthouse, but also at satellite courts in Elliot Lake, Blind River and Wawa.

With Weeks ' appointment and Johnson's retirement, the complement of lawyers at the local office will be down by two.

Assistant Crown attorney Benoit Renaud recently relocated to the Crown's office in Kapuskasing.

Weeks said she anticipates the vacant positions will be filled.

Johnson said that when he took the job, he had indicated that he would give it four to five years.

After five and a half years, the 63-year-old said he decided it was the right time to retire.

"I accomplished the goals I wanted to accomplish and decided it was time to do what I want, when I want."

These goals included changing case management procedures and the introduction of the electronic disclosure of evidence.

A number of major prosecutions , including the case involving three men charged in the 2011 murder and dismemberment of Wesley Hallam, are on the agenda for the local Crowns.

Weeks said she has every confidence they can handle these cases as a team.

"I think the office is a highly skilled unit that can work together and continue to work towards justice."

Born and raised in the Sault, Weeks attended Korah Collegiate and earned her undergraduate degree at Algoma University.

She graduated from Osgoode Hall and was called to the bar in 1988.

After beginning her law career in private practice in Toronto, she returned to her hometown, where she was employed with two local firms before she joined the Crown's office in January 1994.

The daughter of Larry and Margaret Weeks, she was married to the late lawyer Chris Thompson and has  a 17-year-old son Christopher.