REGINA V H.C. [COURT OF QUEEN’S BENCH, CALGARY]
Calgary Defence lawyer Curtis Mennie, along with colleague Shamsher Kothari, represented H who was charged with the most serious offence in Canada, 1st degree murder contrary to section 235 of the Criminal Code. Following a jury trial H was convicted of 1st degree murder and the jury was charged with the criminal code provisions of constructive first. H is currently appealing that verdict along with a pre-trial issue decided by the trial Judge with respect to the voluntariness of a statement he had given to the police. Defence counsel argued that the statement should not have been allowed into evidence and that issue is now on appeal. Other issues arose during the trial on appeal including the jury being separated and brought to a bar during them being sequestered.