May 2, 1997

By Kevin Gillies
Times Reporter

Ferndale inmate Sid Morrisroe has been moved for his own safety.

"It's a temporary move until we can assess the situation," Ferndale warden Ron Wiebe said Thursday.

A special report by the Vancouver Province Wednesday said Morrisroe's daughter Tami had infiltrated the mob in an effort to get information clearing her father.

According to the story, members of the mob - including those responsible for five deaths at a Harris Road farm last September - had threatened to kill Morrisroe if Tami ever blew the whistle on them.

"Some of the principals of the story are still on the street," Wiebe said.

While he said Ferndale is one of the safer institutions because of the people inside, it's outsiders he's concerned about.

"What we can't do is protect from outside people coming in."

Sid Morrisroe is serving a life sentence for the 1983 murder of Vancouver night club owner Joe Phillipone.

Morrisroe has maintained his innocence since the incident.

Wiebe acknowledged that Morrisroe preferred staying in Ferndale because he was familiar with the inmates, it was Wiebe's decision.

"At the end of the day, I'm the one who's responsible," Wiebe said. "It was my call."

"I'm sure he'd rather stay here."

Wiebe said Morrisroe's reaction to the article's publication was mixed.

"I think he had mixed feelings."

Meanwhile, Abbotsford Police officials did not return calls to the newspaper to press deadline.

THE END

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