David Lakie

The accused was charged with assaulting his young daughter, causing her bodily harm, and breaching a probation order.

The Crown's case was circumstantial, relying on evidence that the child was uninjured when placed in her crib but bore significant bruising when arriving at hospital approximately three hours later.

The Crown argued the accused was the only person with opportunity to cause the injuries.

The defence argued the Crown had not proven guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The court found significant credibility issues with both the Crown's primary witness and the accused's testimony, and admitted hearsay evidence from the accused's older son suggesting the mother may have caused the injuries.

The court concluded that while the mother's involvement could not be eliminated as a possibility, and a remote possibility of self-injury existed, the Crown had not proven the accused's guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

The accused was acquitted on both charges.

The defendant was charged with possession of 5 oxycodone pills and two counts of possession of prohibited weapons (a lighter with a spring-loaded blade and nunchaku sticks) found during a search warrant execution at his residence.

The Crown bore the burden of proving possession beyond a reasonable doubt.

The defendant testified that he was unaware of the weapons and that the pills belonged to a plumber friend who had lost them while working at the home.

The friend testified and confirmed the pills were his prescription medication.

The court found the defendant's evidence credible and accepted that the pills were not in his possession.

Regarding the weapons, the court found the circumstantial evidence insufficient to prove possession beyond a reasonable doubt, as the items could have belonged to any of the numerous people who had lived in or visited the home over the years.

The defendant was acquitted of all charges.