Flipping The Bird at Tragedy

July 23, 2005 · By Peter Rempel

The Calgary Sun has come under fire for publishing a photo of an Ontario man accused of raping and assaulting a Banff woman while leaving his preliminary hearing. The photo was jarring. Albert Muckle, who recently arrived in Alberta from Ontario, was pictured flipping the bird at photographers and apparently laughing. Or, as Licia Corbella describes it:

The photo itself shows a handcuffed Muckle laughing, his tattooed hands up near his face level with both middle fingers sticking up telling all of us where to go.

Like Corbella, I’m not interested in convicting him before his trial. But these actions show that Ontarian Muckle has little regard for either the fact that an entirely innocent woman is currently in a coma after a traumatic assault or that he is facing accusations of a horrific rape and assault.

The Sun was entirely in the right when it published that photo.

Comments

51 Responses to “Flipping The Bird at Tragedy”

  1. J. Franklin on July 24th, 2005 9:55 am [#]

    Shades of the early ’80s?

    http://archives.cbc.ca/IDC-1-7....._oil/clip4

  2. DON on December 22nd, 2005 12:38 pm [#]

    I WAS IN CALGARY REMAND WITH MUCKLE, THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT HE IS A DANGERIOUS SEX OFFENDER.THE GOOF SHOULD GET LIFE, HE THOUGHT HE WOULD BE A CELEBRITY TO THE GANGS IN JAIL,NOTHING IS FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH. EVEN HARDEND PRISON GANGS WILL NOT TOLERATE THAT KIND OF CRIME, RAPE IS RAPE, ADD ATTEMPTED MURDER WITH THAT IS THE SICKEST OFFENCE. IF MUCKLE GETS LIFE, HE WON’T LAST LONG ENOUGH TO LIVE IT.HE KNOWS HE DID WRONG, HOWEVER HE IS TO STUPID TO TRULY ADMIT IT OR FEEL REMORSEFULL FOR IT. “TRUST IN GOD MUCKLE, CAUSE YOUR ASS IS OURS NOW.”

  3. J on February 27th, 2006 11:22 am [#]

    I was a counselor of his at a local group home back in the mid-late 90’s. Even at a young age we could tell that he would end up doing something stupid. He had all the resources he would ever need available to him when he was growing up. He always chose otherwise.

    The last time I saw him was dropping him off at CYOC for the 3rd time. He also gave me the finger as I drove off.

    Any and everyone reached out and tried to help him.
    He chose this life….
    Now no one is going to help him anymore
    And no one should!

  4. Angel on May 18th, 2006 12:15 pm [#]

    She was one of my best friends and what he did is unforgivable. No excuses! He has ruined more lives then he thinks he has. To those who knew her and loved her remember that his Judgement day will come and god will be the Judge!

  5. Barbie & Trisha on May 22nd, 2006 11:17 am [#]

    We are here to give Albert Muckle support, and for those who want to turn their backs on Al you can go to HELL. We will be there for Albert forever. He can call us family….

  6. shalibu on June 7th, 2006 6:46 am [#]

    Angel and J, I would be very interested in speaking with you; if you have a moment, could you kindly email shalibu@yahoo.ca so I may ask you each a couple of questions.

    regards.

  7. Dee on June 8th, 2006 9:21 am [#]

    I can’t believe anyone would stick up for him, that guy is disgusting and should never be forgiven for what he has done. I knew her too and she was loved by a lot of people. He deserves to be in jail the rest of his life.

  8. Barbie C on June 28th, 2006 12:32 pm [#]

    I am Alberts girlfriend, he has never gaven me any reason to be scared of him. None of you people know him, so don’t judge if you yourself can not be judged. Barbie

  9. Angel on July 7th, 2006 11:50 am [#]

    I am not affraid of my judgement day because I have done no harm neither has the girl that your boyfriend has put in hospital. You may never have seen him violent with you but people aren’t what they always seem. If he was such a great boyfriend then why weren’t you with him when all this happened? Ask yourself this question what if you were on our end and that was your angel lying in a hospital bed? Better yet what if it was your daughter, sister, mother or your best friend? I do not judge him for what he has done I hate him for that. I ask god to give me the strength to forgive him but the pain is still to fresh. I will not judge him god will do that, but I will fight to make sure he stays behind bars till his judgement day has come.

  10. Barbie on July 10th, 2006 8:47 pm [#]

    I am very sorry for your pain. I wish I could help in some way. I can’t say I know how you feel and hope you over come your hurt.

  11. BILL on July 12th, 2006 11:57 pm [#]

    BARBIE, IF YOU ARE MUCKLES GIRL WHO IS HE DOWN WITH? IS HE IP, RA, AW, CC, NS? YOU CAN FEEL BAD ALL YOU WANT BUT HE IS INSITUTIONALIZED NOW, SUPPORT HIM IF YOU MUST. HE WILL NEVER HURT ANYONE EVER AGAIN. AT LEAST NOT ON THE OUTS…

  12. ThePolitic - Canadian Political Weblog » Albert Muckle: Expanded Discussion on July 13th, 2006 12:06 am [#]

    [...] These is a pretty interesting discussion taking place in the comments section of this post on killer Albert Muckle. Apparently these people are arriving via googling Muckle’s name. [...]

  13. Barbie on July 15th, 2006 11:09 am [#]

    Bill, Albert is not IP, or RA, I don’t know what the others are so I don’t know. He is doing just fine in jail. He is doing his art work and writing.

  14. Barbie on July 18th, 2006 5:59 pm [#]

    I am sitting here wondering, if I am the one who is wrong. I know I am not perfict but I am feeling bad for all these people that loved this girl. Al tells me that he never did it, so I believe him. Maybe thats stupid of me?

  15. Angel on July 19th, 2006 7:10 am [#]

    Barbie
    It’s not stupid to beleave someone that you love. We are not angry with you. You have done nothing wrong but stick by someone that you love. We are doing the same only we are fighting for justice. Albert Muckle clearly stated that he was guilty of the acts against her. He told police exactly what happened to her. Not to mention that he was found with her personal belongings. We beleave in the justice system and beleave that they are telling us the truth. We do not hate you, we are just angry because you have the guts to stand up for him which is nothing to be ashamed of. We HATE Albert Muckle. We just don’t understand what you see in him but that is your business. Barbie just look at the facts without having your heart involved and then tell me who you beleave. The man being accused who has admitted to these acts or the justice system?

  16. Barbie on July 23rd, 2006 5:43 pm [#]

    I hear what you are saying Angel and I am tying but it is hard. It is hard to picture he has done this. I am so , I don’t even know what to say. I am sad and at the same time I care so much for Albert. I thank you for your advice and will take it to heart. I haven’t talked to Al in 3weeks. I have moved and I think moved on with my life. But there is always going to be this un-answered question in my head. Did he do it?

  17. NN on July 25th, 2006 1:48 pm [#]

    Muckle is sick. But he knows right from wrong. An innocent girl lays in permanent vegetative state and all he could do was flip off the news cameras. He will get his skull split in jail and he will deserve it.

  18. Angel on July 27th, 2006 5:53 am [#]

    Barbie,
    I am very happy that you have been able to move on with your life. You sound as though you have a good head on your shoulders so go and make the best out of life that you can. You never know when your life will be taken from you that is something that unfortunatly I had to learn from this tragedy. I know our Angel would not want you to waste away your life because of this and neither do I. Just remember in No way is this your fault and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Not even yourself. I have been blaming myself, because I was sapposed to be out with her that night but I went home early instead. I always think to myself that if only I was there maybe it wouldn’t have happened. Don’t allow yourself to slip into the same groove. I will tell you in all honesty that I hate Albert Muckle and wish him the worst in life, and hope he goes to HELL!Don’t let this man control your life or your thoughts infact allow nobody to do that. I wish you well in life Barbie please make the most of it.

  19. K in Calgary on July 27th, 2006 11:02 am [#]

    I remember reading about the horrible tradgedy one year ago, chilling. I can understand how all parties feel, anger confusion, hatred and sadness. But wouldn’t you agree that Albert has been receiving all of the attention, and we have all forgotten about the victim here? Might I suggest that we all stop for a moment and pray for the girl and her family rather than waste our energy on the accused. He will get his day of judgement. But the family of the victim will forever be in pain.
    Barbie, I understand you love Albert but you need to ask yourself does he love you? And how can you love someone who doesn’t love himself and has no regard for human life? Go on with your life, you have so much more to live. Take care to all.
    Katie

  20. Anonymous on July 29th, 2006 7:16 am [#]

    I work for the media, and I believe this photo was justified in the paper…. it just proves how much of an insensitive asshole he really is. The woman that was attacked remains in a coma because of this jerk who wanted 20 dollars. Her life is ruined… her family’s life is ruined…. her friends are in pieces. Fortunately this man was found guilty and will be locked up for a very long time… which isn’t even justice for the pain and suffering he has caused for many…

  21. Angel on July 31st, 2006 6:18 am [#]

    Thank you GOD! I am so happy that he has been found guilty. Please someone tell me that their not going to move him from that prison. I want him to be scared for every moment of his life. I want him to suffer the pain that he has put us all through, every ounce of it. I want this monster locked away in a room only big enough for him to lye down in with no windows and no contact with the outside world other then with his gang rivals. This monster brings out the worst in me, the hate I feel towards him is sometimes almost enbarable. I want him to have nothing to do but remember what he has done. Go to HELL Muckle! I only hope know that our Angel will awaken from her sleep. I miss you Angel and I love you so much. Please wake up soon. Are prayers are with you everyday. I want you back and I know that is selfish of me but I would give anything to see you smile again. Please wake up Angel!

  22. Angel on July 31st, 2006 6:25 am [#]

    Anonymous,
    I read your message and noticed that it said you are part of the press. The girl who was attached was one of my best friends. My Angel! Shortly after all this happened I had to move from Alberta back to Ontario and have been having problems getting information about the case. I do not wish to bother her family with this. So I was hopeing that maybe you could keep me posted. If not I understand and if so thank you! You have no idea what it would mean to me.

    BARBIE
    I am sorry for your loss but at the same time I am happy that he will never be able to harm another person and thats including you. My prayers are with you Barbie! Be strong honey!

  23. justis on July 31st, 2006 9:04 am [#]

    Angel,

    I would like to say first of all that I am sorry about your best friend, she is in all of our thoughts and prayers. You had said you lived in Alberta? Were you here with her in Banff? Also, what kind of information are you looking for about the case?

  24. Barbie C on July 31st, 2006 12:20 pm [#]

    Thanks Angel for helping me see there is life out there without Al. You are a good person and I hope the best for you. If there is anything I can do for you please email me @ barbieclowers@yahoo.ca

  25. Barbie C on July 31st, 2006 12:37 pm [#]

    Angel, Hope things are looking up for you and the girls family. I don’t think Al would have ever hurt me or ever will. But there is a lot of things I don’t know. I am just living day by day trying to stay strong, not just for me but for him as well. I know things will turn out for the better I just gotta keep praying.

  26. justis on July 31st, 2006 8:30 pm [#]

    Barbie,

    Sorry to stumble upon this so late but are you Albert’s girlfriend? Your email dddress….is your last name clowers?

  27. Angel on August 1st, 2006 5:27 am [#]

    justis,
    Yes I was with her in Banff. We were both to be leaving to come back to Ontario just weeks after the incident. I am just trying to stay updated with whats happening in the court proceedings. I find I can’t find enough information just by reading the articles that I do find which are usually old. If you could help me stay updated that would be wonderful. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers they mean alot.
    thanks Angel

  28. Angel on August 1st, 2006 5:42 am [#]

    Barbie,
    The same to you, if you need anything or just need to chat and let stuff out, please write me at: Wake_up_angel_2005@yahoo.com
    I hope to hear from you!
    Angel

  29. justis on August 1st, 2006 7:40 pm [#]

    Angel,

    Well I am a law student who watched both days of the hearing in Banff. It was scheduled for 6 days I do believe until he shockingly agreed to the classification. The first day was basically the crowns case and what evidence they were planning to put forth as well as tons of exhibits. His xgf testified as well as an officer regarding an incident that occurred in Vancouver apparently. The second day was a late start, obviously due to the change of plans. Give me an email alberta0021@hotmail.com and I will fill you in on the rest. Its a bit long to post here.

  30. Barbie C on August 2nd, 2006 1:48 pm [#]

    Why do you ask Justis?

  31. justis on August 2nd, 2006 4:08 pm [#]

    Why do I ask, well I knew a Barb Clowers from where I am from. Email me and I will fill in the details alberta0021@hotmail.com

  32. carrie on August 27th, 2006 7:41 pm [#]

    Hey Angle and Barbie,

    How are you both doing?

  33. Angel on September 8th, 2006 8:33 am [#]

    Barbie,
    Where are you? Please contact me!
    Angel

  34. Barbie on September 22nd, 2006 8:04 am [#]

    Hi Angel Im sorry I havent been here but things have been rocky. Al sent me a letter and he will only serve 3 to 6 years cause the crown made a deal with him.. Im sorry to have to tell you this please forgive me. Anyway hope you are ok, talk to ya soon Barbie

  35. Angel on September 23rd, 2006 8:17 pm [#]

    To ALL,
    Albert Muckle should never see the light of day or feel freedom again. I’m sorry Barbie this has nothing to do with you. I consider you a friend, but Albert is my enemy. We should not allow this to happen. He has not only taken away my Angels life in a way of speaking but he has taken away my friend. I will not stand for this and if I have to move back to Alberta to fight for justice then so help me god I will. This monster should get a life sentence and never be let free. I will fight and I ask those who read this to fight along with me. What if it was your sister,mother, niece or friend that was brutally beat. Would you fight for them? Ask yourself this question if you believe that this is not your battle, because if this monster is let free his next victim could be one of those people. Again Barbie this is not in any way a fight against you this is a fight against Muckle. I’m sorry but I have to fight for my Angel!

  36. Barbie on September 30th, 2006 6:28 pm [#]

    Angel
    I am also very sorry, I made a promise to Albert. I will stand by him! I am not here to hurt anyone or cause anymore pain, you have to understand, I know him as a whole different person. Please forgive me if I have hurt you in any way. And I hope the best for you, your friend and her family.

  37. Barbie on September 30th, 2006 6:32 pm [#]

    Carrie,
    How have you been? Me I have been up and down. Many things run through my head each day. Not knowing if I am doing the right thing…… But I am going to follow what my heart says, and fight for whom I believe in. Let me know how you are doing, and I will email you tomorrow.

  38. K-Dogg on October 26th, 2006 9:11 am [#]

    I knew Albert (or Lance,Lucifer,and a few other names he’s gone by) personally. He tried to follow me to my home town in B.C. and spread alot of useless lies there. I found him on the street and brought him to my aging fathers home,fed him a good supper and offered him a place to sleep for the night. Later I found out that he had drugged and sexually harmed a young (14) girl in town and I stopped talking to him. He is also responsible for speading Hep-c to several other sex partners and was at one time an intraveinous drug user. I’m no angel but I do know a few solid people and I’m hoping that you all really give this guy true justice. And just in case you’re reading this Muckle…I was being true blue to my crew…Dubs in the house.
    K

  39. carrie on October 29th, 2006 6:59 pm [#]

    K-Dogg,

    I see you share the same opinion of several people on this forum. Were there charges ever laid in the incident you described (the 14 year old being drugged)?

  40. Private on November 1st, 2006 4:22 pm [#]

    I was in Alberta when this happened, conducting training at Camp Wainwright.

    I just noticed this article and I am family of the victim, and there is no way a girl as young and full of life as her ever deserved this. Muckle is an evil sick pos, who deserves far worse then to live in jail off of my tax dollars.

    Barbie, give your head a fucking shake for even thinking of supporting him.

    Creatures like Muckle do not belong in our society, this thing should have been locked away years ago.

  41. Bob in Banff on November 2nd, 2006 1:01 am [#]

    Angel or anyone:
    Does anyone know what happened to the baby? I can’t find any mention of the outcome. Did the baby die or did it survive? Anyone?

  42. carrie on November 2nd, 2006 10:08 am [#]

    BOB,

    The papers have never mentioned if the child she was carrying survived. They did report that she was 6 weeks pregnant. There was nothing mentioned at the court hearing I attended. I assume the worst and unfortunately I do not believe any charges can be laid against him since (according to the news) she was only 6 weeks pregnant. It gets into that whole arguement over wether or not it is a human being at that stage, which has been argued over for years.

  43. jen on November 16th, 2006 3:01 am [#]

    SUPRISED TO READ SO MANY COMMENTS.AND FROM SO MANY PEOPLE.AL,i KNEW AND WAS WITH FOR ONLY 6 MONTHS,PRIOR TO HIM COMMITING THIS HEINOUS ACT.iT TURNS MY STOMACH TO EVER THINK HE WAS IN MY LIFE,WEEKS BEFORE HE DID THIS.IN ONE OF THE ARTICLES HE SAID HE WAS UPSET BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN DUMPED,WELL,THAT WAS ME.tHE LAST TIME i SAW HIM WAS IN wILLIAMS lAKE,i HAD TO GO TO PENTICTON AND i LEFT HIM THERE,hE LATER CONTACTED ME VIA E-MAIL,ASKING ME TO MEET HIM ON A BRIDGE IN PENTICTON.i NEVER MET HIM AND A FEW DAYS LATER….. THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENED.i KNOW ITS NOT MY FAULT,HE WANTED TO BLAME ME FOR HIS ACTIONS.AT LEAST I DONT THINK ITS MY FAULT,FEELS LIKE IT COULD BE IF i HADNT OF DUMPED HIM.WE WERE INSEPERABLE FOR THE TIME WE WERE TOGETHER.HOWEVER I HAVE CRIED FOR THE YOUNG WOMAN HE DID THIS TOO.i HAVE NO SYMPATHY FOR HIM OR HIS ‘GF” WHO HAS PROBABLY NEVER NET HIM.hAVE YOU MET HIM?WHY ARE YOU TAKING THIS STORY AND MAKING IT YOURS,YOU WERE NOT HIS GF WHEN HE DID THIS!!yOU HAD TO OF KNOWN EXACTLY WHAT U WERE GETTING YOURSELF INTO BEFORE U CALLED YOURSELF HIS.yOU ARE JUST AS MESSED UP IN THE HEAD AS HE IS,GOING WITH A GUY WHO HAS DONE THIS TO ANOTHER HUMAN BEING.SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE LOOKIN FOR SYMPATHY.ON THE SAME NOTE I KNOW HOW A SWEET TALKER HE CAN BE,SO IT LOOKS LIKE HE GOT HIS HOOK INTO A VULNERABLE GIRL,AGAIN.MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF THE GIRL.

  44. carrie on November 19th, 2006 8:20 pm [#]

    Jen,

    Sounds like you knew him well. At the hearing they did speak of a girlfriend he was going to see. They described it as a fork in the road. He had theopportunity to go one way and meet up with his girlfriend or go to Banff. We all know what road he chose, and what is important to remember here is HE CHOSE IT. In no way is it anyones fault why he did this, I can see where you are coming from however. I call it “the what iff question.” What is I did this, what if I did that, things like that can haunt your mind. How long did you know him?

  45. Hoodlum on November 30th, 2006 3:38 pm [#]

    The child was lost.

  46. SecurityNinja on December 22nd, 2006 6:11 pm [#]

    Some time has passed since I have moved from alberta, it seems that i will never find closure in what happened to this wonderfull friend.

    In a town like banff your co workers quickly become friends you play baseball, you go go monster truck rallys. all because you all have headed to the same place for the same reasons.. to experience life.

    As i search the internet to find any sort of information as to the current status of this Sweet Angel it saddens me is that I had to search the name of the criminal to find information on the victim!

    not a day passes that i close my eyes and remember saying good bye to her and her boyfriend as we made plans for camping uppon their return home.

    It is sad that our tax dollars are going toward the court and legal system for this case, and that every time this is in the media I have to see pictures/mugshots of this horrible person and read about the terrible things he has done to become infamous, and nobody will ever hear about our sweetie.

    Angel, I am pretty sure we know each other. stay strong!

    Hoodlum, drop me an email.. *hint* check the name youll figure out who it is :)

  47. Angel on January 20th, 2007 6:24 pm [#]

    I must know you but I can’t figure out who you are. Please email me at Wake_up_angel_2005@yahoo.com This is my official email account set up for anything to do with our angel.

  48. jen on January 23rd, 2007 7:30 pm [#]

    Well no more activity from Barbie,good, seems like hopefully she seen the light.I hope.

  49. Barbie on January 24th, 2007 5:58 am [#]

    Yes Jen but I don’t need your words, your just here making a judgemental opinion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hi to Angel

  50. B on January 24th, 2007 8:56 pm [#]

    I knew Albert back in Elementary school through to his teenage years. He was always on the wrong side of life and always did the wrong things. Everyone around felt sorry for him and his life before and tried to pamper him. It was all wrong, it gave him the feeling in life that he could get away with anything. This guy is screwed up in the head and from an early age you could tell that he needed a ton of help. But everyone wanted to pretend like nothing was wrong and if he did do something wrong than to give him a slap on the wrist. Everything is wrong with the way the system worked and he was never going to learn.. TRUST ME, i am not making excuses for him, I hated him more than anything back than, but I could see this coming and so could everyone around him.
    Albert deserves this more than anyone I know, and it is terrible that it took something to this extent for him to get the treatment he deserves. I am so very sorry for this young girl that will never get to experience the greater part of life. My condolences for the friends and family of the Victim.

  51. scarred on January 25th, 2007 12:44 pm [#]

    i too knew muckle, i met him in a young offenders unit in northern ontario, he had a great sense of humour, and thought of everything as a joke, was happy for the most part, and kept in touch for years.
    lets all thank the system, every day i see so many kids get lost in it,
    the courts, the child welfare, anyone of you who has been in foster care has learned how to manipulate, thats where i learned how to be a hooker.and also learned about drugs, was better off at home in hind sight. quit teaching these kids to seek pity and start teaching them to get over it, and be strong. you can never imagine what this sickos been through to make him so sick, but sorry gilbert(albert)the pity train ends here… that was a flesh and blood human being, with feelings and a future, im sure u heard it all before, but i know u. NO ONE RESPECTS U FOR THIS- U R NOT TOUGH, U R NOT COOL, they should have let u choke on the razors loser. Enjoy.