The appellant appealed his conviction for the first-degree murder of his wife, arguing that bad character evidence was improperly admitted and that his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance by failing to object to it.
The impugned evidence included a 'list of lies' the appellant wrote regarding his affair and an internet bookmark about compulsive lying.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, finding that while some of the evidence should not have been admitted, the trial judge's strong limiting instructions prevented any miscarriage of justice.
The court also rejected the ineffective assistance of counsel claim, concluding that trial counsel made reasonable tactical decisions and that the appellant suffered no prejudice given the overwhelming evidence of planning and deliberation.
