Cases
In the News
REGINA V P.S. [COURT OF QUEEN’S BENCH, CALGARY]
REGINA V P.S. [COURT OF QUEEN’S BENCH ALBERTA, CALGARY]
The accused was charged with multiple serious weapons charges, including the most serious possession offence in Canada of possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition contrary to section 95(1) of the Criminal Code. The allegations arose following a standoff in Morley where the RCMP barricaded a trailer after allegedly hearing muffled .22 rifle shots. The RCMP ultimately called in a tactical unit who discharged a smoke grenade into the unit after which 3 individuals ran out coughing and vomiting. A sawed of .22 rifle was found in the trailer along with ammunition. The RCMP did not take any photos of inside the unit nor did any gun shot residue analysis with any of the individuals in the trailer. The individuals gave statements but they were agreed by the Crown to be inadmissible given the major inadequacies of the officer’s notes. Curtis Mennie filed Charter notice on behalf of his client and met with the Crown in the days leading up to trial to discuss the inadequacies of the case. On the eve of trial the Crown stayed all charges against P.
REGINA V F.J. [PROVINCIAL COURT OF ALBERTA, CALGARY]
Regina v f.j. [provincial court of alberta, calgary]
The accused was charged with two counts of criminal negligence causing death contrary to section 220 of the Criminal Code. The allegations arose after F suffered a seizure while driving his truck and in a horrific accident struck a vehicle, tragically killing the driver and passenger. The issue at trial was focused on whether or not F should have been driving given his medical history of epilepsy, defence evidence was called including the accused and an expert in the field of neurology. Curtis Mennie argued that F did everything in his power to remain seizure free on the day of the accident. The Trial Judge reserved and ultimately found F not guilty of all charges.
REGINA V C.C. [COURT OF QUEEN’S BENCH, EDMONTON]
Regina v c.c. [court of queen’s bench, edmonton]
Curtis Mennie, along with colleague Shamsher Kothari, represented C who was charged with many offences, including the most serious offence in Canada, 1st degree murder contrary to section 235 of the Criminal Code. The Trial began with a Jury and Judge, as the witnesses testified it became clear that certain material witnesses were part of a Witness Protection program, a fact that was not previously disclosed to Defence counsel. As Defence counsel sought additional materials it became apparent that a confidential informant was used in the investigation and that the Defence had not been disclosed this information. Following a hearing as to if the only exception to informant privilege applies (innocence at stake), the confidential informant materials were ordered to be handed over to Defence. The Crown decided it would call no further evidence and invited the Court to acquit, ultimately the charges were judicially Stayed.