Allison Wheeler

The appellant appealed his conviction for robbery and his sentence of 10 years' imprisonment.

On the conviction appeal, he argued the trial judge erred in a Corbett application by admitting his 28-year-old manslaughter conviction after finding defence counsel attacked the arresting officer's character.

The Court of Appeal dismissed the conviction appeal, finding no error in the trial judge's application of the Corbett test.

On the sentence appeal, the Crown conceded the 10-year sentence was outside the appropriate range.

The Court allowed the sentence appeal and reduced the sentence to 5 years' imprisonment.

The amicus curiae appointed to assist the self-represented appellant sought to have his fees taxed pursuant to section 684(3) of the Criminal Code.

The Crown argued that the fees should be paid at the standard Legal Aid rate.

The Deputy Registrar found that the case was complex and difficult, and that the requested rate of $235 per hour was reasonable given counsel's expertise.

The fees were taxed at the requested rate.