J. Healy

The Crown applied for a review of a bail order releasing the respondent, who was charged with 22 offences including firearms offences and dangerous driving following a shooting and police chase.

The reviewing judge admitted new evidence consisting of the respondent's parole officer's notes, which showed a history of non-compliance.

The judge revoked bail, finding that the respondent's detention was necessary on both the secondary ground (public safety) and the tertiary ground (maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice), given the overwhelming strength of the Crown's case, the gravity of the offences, and the respondent's history of breaching court orders.

During a judge‑alone criminal trial, the accused applied for a directed verdict of acquittal after the Crown closed its case.

Police executing a search warrant at an apartment discovered a loaded restricted firearm hidden inside a couch cushion and quantities of cocaine and marihuana elsewhere in the unit.

The accused was present in the living room but was not a resident of the apartment, which was leased to another individual.

The court held that the circumstantial evidence could not reasonably support inferences of knowledge or control over the firearm or drugs, which were either hidden or insufficiently connected to the accused beyond proximity.

As a result, the evidence was incapable of supporting convictions for possession of the firearm or drugs for the purpose of trafficking.