Michael Morse

The offender, a habitual criminal with 62 prior convictions, drove a stolen truck through a red light while evading police, striking and killing another driver before fleeing the scene.

He was convicted of criminal negligence causing death, failing to remain, possession of stolen property, and driving while disqualified.

The court considered his Aboriginal heritage as a mitigating factor under the Gladue framework but emphasized the paramount need for denunciation and protection of the public.

A global sentence of 15 years' incarceration was imposed, along with a lifetime driving prohibition and delayed parole eligibility.

The accused was charged with criminal negligence causing death, failing to remain at the scene, possession of stolen property, and driving while disqualified, following a fatal collision.

The accused, driving a stolen truck, fled from police at high speeds, ran a red light, and struck another vehicle, killing its driver.

The accused then fled on foot but was apprehended shortly after.

The primary issue at trial was identity.

The court accepted the police officer's eyewitness testimony and the accused's post-offence conduct as proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused was the driver.

The accused was found guilty on all counts.

The offender was sentenced following convictions for multiple firearms offences, including possession of a loaded prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a prohibited device, use of a firearm without reasonable precaution, possession of a firearm while subject to a prohibition order, and several probation breaches.

The offences arose after the offender ran through a residential townhouse complex in the afternoon carrying a loaded handgun following a shooting incident.

The court emphasized denunciation and deterrence given the serious risk posed to the public and the offender’s significant criminal record and repeated breaches of court orders.

Applying sentencing principles under the Criminal Code and considering comparable jurisprudence, the court imposed a global sentence of five years’ imprisonment before credit for pre‑sentence custody.

Enhanced credit of 1.5:1 was granted for 858 days of pre‑trial detention.

The accused was charged with multiple firearm and probation-related offences after running through a residential townhouse complex carrying a loaded prohibited handgun following a shooting incident.

He admitted possessing the firearm but argued he did so out of necessity after hearing gunfire and fearing for his life.

The court rejected the accused’s explanation, finding his testimony inconsistent with surveillance footage and other evidence, and concluded he armed himself to seek out the attackers rather than escape danger.

The defence of necessity therefore had no factual foundation.

The court convicted the accused of multiple firearm possession offences, breach of prohibition and probation orders, and using a firearm without reasonable precaution.