Greg Leslie

The accused was charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking after police found 99 grams of cocaine hidden behind an intercom panel in a bedroom during a search warrant execution.

The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, arguing the bedroom belonged to the accused based on dated documents and large clothing found inside.

The accused testified he had moved to the basement months prior and that other individuals, including his brother, had access to the room.

The court applied the W.(D.) and Villaroman frameworks, finding the prosecution's circumstantial case weak and concluding the accused's evidence raised a reasonable doubt.

The accused was acquitted.

During a trial for first-degree murder, the Crown brought an application to admit expert evidence regarding street gangs, specifically the rivalry between 'C3' and the 'Scarlettwood Crips'.

The Crown sought to qualify a police detective as an expert to provide context and establish motive for the seemingly random shooting of an unarmed man.

The defence opposed the application, arguing the evidence was highly prejudicial and the officer was not properly qualified.

The court allowed the application, finding the evidence was logically relevant to motive, necessary to assist the jury in understanding the context of the shooting, and that the officer was qualified.

The court ruled that the probative value of the evidence outweighed its prejudicial effect, subject to specific exclusions of certain highly prejudicial videos and appropriate jury instructions.