The appellant, Dorothy Groves, appealed her conviction for second-degree murder and her sentence of life imprisonment with 13 years parole ineligibility.
She argued the trial judge erred in admitting a statement she made to a special constable, claiming it was not voluntary, and in failing to properly instruct the jury on the two forms of accident.
She also sought a reduction in her parole ineligibility.
The Court of Appeal dismissed both the conviction and sentence appeals, finding the trial judge correctly assessed the voluntariness of her statement and adequately instructed the jury on the defence of accident as it related to intent.
The court also found the sentence imposed was fit, considering both aggravating factors (criminal record, violent offences) and mitigating factors (intellectual disability).
