R. v. Polo, [1995] 4 S.C.R. 44

Her Majesty The Queen Appellant

v.

Jean Polo Respondent

Indexed as: R. v. Polo

File No.: 24210.

1995: November 2.

Present: Lamer C.J. and La Forest, L'Heureux‑Dubé, Sopinka, Gonthier, Cory, McLachlin, Iacobucci and Major JJ.

on appeal from the court of appeal for quebec

Criminal law ‑‑ Trial -- Evidence -- Accused convicted of sexual assault and sexual touching ‑‑ Court of Appeal not erring in allowing accused's appeal and quashing conviction.

APPEAL from a judgment of the Quebec Court of Appeal, 1994 CanLII 5530 (QC CA), [1994] Q.J. No. 249 (QL), J.E. 94‑610, R.J.P.Q. 94‑125, 23 W.C.B. (2d) 484, allowing the accused's appeal from his conviction of sexual assault and sexual touching. Appeal dismissed, L'Heureux‑Dubé J. dissenting.

Pierre Lapointe, for the appellant.

Josée Ferrari, for the respondent.

English version of the judgment of the Court delivered orally by

[1] Lamer C.J. ‑‑ We are all of the view that the Court of Appeal made no error in allowing the accused's appeal and quashing the conviction. Since the Crown did not request an order for a new trial in the event of a dismissal of its appeal, counsel for the respondent has stated she is not adequately prepared to argue in favour of upholding the acquittal. In the circumstances the appeal is dismissed in a majority decision; L'Heureux-Dubé J., dissenting, would allow the appeal in part and order a new trial.

Judgment accordingly.

Solicitor for the appellant: Pierre Lapointe, Québec.

Solicitors for the respondent: Rolland, Pariseau, Olivier & St‑Louis, Montréal.