R. v. Moran, 1993 CanLII 49 (SCC), [1993] 4 SCR 499

Donald Moran Appellant

v.

Her Majesty The Queen Respondent

Indexed as: R. v. Moran

File No.: 23326.

1993: November 29.

Present: Lamer C.J. and L'Heureux‑Dubé, Cory, McLachlin and Major JJ.

on appeal from the court of appeal for ontario

Criminal law ‑‑ Evidence ‑‑ Rule against oath‑helping ‑‑ Cross‑examination of complainant's mother not impermissible oath‑helping ‑‑ Accused's conviction upheld.

APPEAL from a judgment of the Ontario Court of Appeal (1992), 1992 CanLII 12786 (ON CA), 77 C.C.C. (3d) 300, 59 O.A.C. 65, dismissing the accused's appeal from his conviction on a charge of sexual assault. Appeal dismissed, Lamer C.J. and McLachlin J. dissenting.

Bruce Duncan, for the appellant.

Jocelyn Speyer, for the respondent.

The judgment of the Court was delivered orally by

Lamer C.J. ‑‑ A majority, in substantial agreement with Mr. Justice Grange as regards there not being in this case a violation of the oath‑helping rule, would dismiss the appeal. The Chief Justice and Justice McLachlin, in dissent, and in agreement with Mr. Justice Finlayson, would allow the appeal, set aside the conviction and order a new trial.

The appeal is accordingly dismissed.

Judgment accordingly.

Solicitors for the appellant: Duncan, Fava & Schermbrucker, Toronto.

Solicitor for the respondent: Jocelyn Speyer, Toronto.