The appellant appealed a summary conviction for failing to remain at the scene of a motor vehicle accident with intent to escape civil or criminal liability.
The appeal challenged the admissibility of police observations, the reliability of eyewitness identification, and the reasonableness of the verdict.
The appeal court found the trial judge inadequately analyzed significant weaknesses in the identification evidence and improperly conducted independent internet research regarding a “K-way” tracksuit relied upon as key identification evidence.
While the verdict was not necessarily unreasonable on the admissible evidence, the errors undermined the fairness of the reasoning process.
The conviction was set aside and a new trial ordered.
