R. v. Z.L., [2001] 1 S.C.R. 528, 2001 SCC 16

Her Majesty The Queen Appellant

v.

Z.L. Respondent

Indexed as: R. v. Z.L.

Neutral citation: 2001 SCC 16.

File No.: 27838.

2001: March 16.

Present: Iacobucci, Major, Bastarache, Binnie and Arbour JJ.

on appeal from the court of appeal for british columbia

Criminal law – Unreasonable or unsafe verdict -- Accused convicted of sexually assaulting his own son -- Court of Appeal setting aside accused’s conviction and entering acquittal -- No reason to change judgment of Court of Appeal.

APPEAL from a judgment of the British Columbia Court of Appeal (2000), 136 B.C.A.C. 60, 222 W.A.C. 60, 144 C.C.C. (3d) 444, [2000] B.C.J. No. 508 (QL), 2000 BCCA 169, allowing the accused’s appeal from his conviction on a charge of sexual assault and ordering an acquittal. Appeal dismissed.

John M. Gordon and Beverly MacLean, for the appellant.

William B. Smart, Q.C., for the respondent.

The judgment of the Court was delivered orally by

[1] Iacobucci J. – This is an appeal as of right. Looking at all the circumstances of this case, we see no reason to interfere with the judgment of the majority of the British Columbia Court of Appeal and accordingly, we dismiss the appeal.

Judgment accordingly.

Solicitor for the appellant: The Ministry of the Attorney General, Vancouver.

Solicitors for the respondent: Smart & Williams, Vancouver.