Michael Godinho

The accused was tried for two home invasions in Oakville and Scarborough.

The Crown relied on circumstantial evidence, primarily cell phone records, text messages, and videos found on the accused's phone upon arrest.

The court admitted similar fact evidence across the counts, finding striking similarities between the two incidents.

The court also admitted incoming text messages from an unindicted co-conspirator under the co-conspirators' exception to the hearsay rule.

The court found the accused guilty as a co-principal on all counts, concluding he conspired to commit the robberies, assembled the team, and was present at the scenes.

The accused, charged with attempted child abduction, assault, and forcible confinement, brought a bail review application seeking to vacate the strict conditions of his consent release.

The Crown opposed the application, citing the accused's mental health issues and risk of reoffending.

The Superior Court of Justice found a material change in circumstances due to the filing of a direct indictment, the passage of 28 months without breaches, and police evidence suggesting mistaken identity in one of the incidents.

Applying the ladder principle, the court allowed the application in part, deleting the strict house arrest condition while maintaining the other protective terms.