The accused was charged with stabbing the complainant during an altercation at a public picnic in a park.
The Crown alleged the accused approached the complainant from behind during a brief verbal exchange and stabbed him with scissors, causing severe injuries requiring removal of the complainant’s spleen.
The accused testified that the complainant produced the scissors first and that the stabbing occurred accidentally during a struggle in self-defence.
Applying the credibility framework in R. v. (W.D.), the court rejected the accused’s evidence due to internal inconsistencies, post-offence conduct, and false statements to police.
The court accepted the complainant’s evidence, supported in part by other witnesses and surrounding circumstances, and concluded the Crown proved the offence beyond a reasonable doubt.
