Jean-Pierre Bessette

The Crown appealed the acquittal of the respondent on a charge of obstructing a peace officer in the execution of his duties.

The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal, agreeing with the Court of Appeal that the special constables of the C.T.C.U.M. did not have the statutory authority to make an arrest without a warrant in the circumstances of the case.

The appellant was convicted of fraudulently undertaking to tell fortunes for a consideration under s. 323(b) of the Criminal Code.

She appealed, arguing she honestly believed she had special powers to predict the future.

The Supreme Court of Canada dismissed the appeal, holding that the defence of honest belief was not open on the facts because the trial judge had explicitly found that the appellant knew she had no basis for her claim to be able to predict the future.