Supreme Court

Abstract: Transcript of reasons for decision on appeal of convictions on three charges including spousal assault -- Appellant raising issue of trial fairness -- Appellant change counsel mid-trial and Trial Judge did not allow new counsel to re-examine Crown witnesses even though case turned on credibility -- nothing suggested trial was compromised by this decision and was within Trial Judge's discretion -- Crown did not call complainant as witness and defence's request that an adverse inference be drawn not followed by Trial Judge -- Trial Judge had ample evidence apart from the complainant on which to convict
Decision: appeal dismissed
Subjects: Civil liberties and human rights - Legal rights - Fair and public hearing
Keywords: Trial fairness - change of counsel
Witness - duties of prosecutor - discretion to call witness
Failure to testify - adverse inference