Law and justice

<div>The evidence put forward by the Crown and defence in the criminal trial of two prominent “Freedom Convoy” organizers is so similar, it reflects something of a Rorschach test for how people feel about the massive protest, said associate criminology professor Michael Kempa. Tamara Lich arrives for her trial at the courthouse in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang</div>

‘Rorschach test’: Freedom Convoy trial hinging more on attitude than evidence

Analyst weighs in as high-profile trial set to reconvene this week after a lengthy break

<div>The evidence put forward by the Crown and defence in the criminal trial of two prominent “Freedom Convoy” organizers is so similar, it reflects something of a Rorschach test for how people feel about the massive protest, said associate criminology professor Michael Kempa. Tamara Lich arrives for her trial at the courthouse in Ottawa, on Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang</div>
Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. Rick Mihic, a senior investigator at Vancouver City Savings Credit Unit, says a bank account registered to Ibrahim Ali shows transactions in Burnaby on July 18, 2017, the day a 13-year-old was murdered in a B.C. park. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Bank records show accused Ali in same city as victim on day of B.C. murder

A bank account registered to Ibrahim Ali shows transactions in Burnaby, B.C.,…

Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. Rick Mihic, a senior investigator at Vancouver City Savings Credit Unit, says a bank account registered to Ibrahim Ali shows transactions in Burnaby on July 18, 2017, the day a 13-year-old was murdered in a B.C. park. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Angela Cornish received 6-month conditional sentence for arson Tuesday in provincial court in Kamloops. (Kamloops This Week file photo)

6-month conditional sentence for B.C. woman who started 2 wildfires

Angela Cornish pleaded guilty to two arsons near the southern Interior community of Lac Le Jeune

Angela Cornish received 6-month conditional sentence for arson Tuesday in provincial court in Kamloops. (Kamloops This Week file photo)
Members of the Gitxaala Nation, including Chief Councillor Linda Innes, front right, march to B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, April 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Court rules B.C. must fix mineral claims system after Ehattesaht challenge

Judge says B.C. has a duty to consult, but rejects Indigenous bid to quash existing claims

Members of the Gitxaala Nation, including Chief Councillor Linda Innes, front right, march to B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver, B.C., Monday, April 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A tactical armoured RCMP vehicle drives past a police roadblock set up at James Smith Cree Nation, Sask., on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. Parole Board of Canada employees were fearful of threats after it was revealed a mass killer in Saskatchewan was on statutory release at the time of last year’s rampage, newly released internal emails show. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Parole board employees warned of threats in wake of Saskatchewan stabbings

11 killed, 17 were injured in the attacks on the James Smith Cree Nation last year

A tactical armoured RCMP vehicle drives past a police roadblock set up at James Smith Cree Nation, Sask., on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022. Parole Board of Canada employees were fearful of threats after it was revealed a mass killer in Saskatchewan was on statutory release at the time of last year’s rampage, newly released internal emails show. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
A new report compiled for the provincial government details a shortage of sheriffs across B.C., resulting in court closures and delays. (Photo: Province of B.C.)

Cash coming to address B.C.’s longstanding sheriff shortage: Sharma

Report reveals workplace culture issues feeding recruitment and retention crisis

A new report compiled for the provincial government details a shortage of sheriffs across B.C., resulting in court closures and delays. (Photo: Province of B.C.)
Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. A sexual assault expert is testifying at the British Columbia Supreme Court trial of a man accused of killing a 13-year-old girl six years ago.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Ibrahim Ali murder trial testimony: difficulty walking from victim’s injuries

Testimony continues in case of girl found dead in B.C. park

Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. A sexual assault expert is testifying at the British Columbia Supreme Court trial of a man accused of killing a 13-year-old girl six years ago.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to consider an appeal from a South Korean man who was fighting extradition to his home country where he is wanted for fraud related to a Metro Vancouver property development. A man walks past the Supreme Court of Canada, Friday, June 16, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Extradition appeal tied to B.C. development rejected by Supreme Court

Order to release Jung Myung Soo to authorities in his home country of South Korea stands

The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to consider an appeal from a South Korean man who was fighting extradition to his home country where he is wanted for fraud related to a Metro Vancouver property development. A man walks past the Supreme Court of Canada, Friday, June 16, 2023 in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Two of Canada’s leading advocacy associations for civil liberties and criminal justice reform say it is troubling the Liberal government opted to have MPs send its bail-reform bill directly to the Senate, instead of having it first studied by a parliamentary committee. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani speaks to media after cabinet swearing-in at Rideau Hall, in Ottawa, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Bail reform fast-tracking has federal watchdogs waving red flags

House of Commons sending bill to the Senate without committee study

Two of Canada’s leading advocacy associations for civil liberties and criminal justice reform say it is troubling the Liberal government opted to have MPs send its bail-reform bill directly to the Senate, instead of having it first studied by a parliamentary committee. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Arif Virani speaks to media after cabinet swearing-in at Rideau Hall, in Ottawa, Wednesday, July 26, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Tamara Lich arrives at the courthouse for trial in Ottawa on Monday, September 18, 2023. The criminal trial of two “Freedom Convoy” organizers is expected to hear the city’s perspective on the controversial protest as Ottawa’s emergency manager takes the stand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle

Facebook posts can be evidence in Freedom Convoy mischief trial

Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are facing multiple charges in Ottawa protest

Tamara Lich arrives at the courthouse for trial in Ottawa on Monday, September 18, 2023. The criminal trial of two “Freedom Convoy” organizers is expected to hear the city’s perspective on the controversial protest as Ottawa’s emergency manager takes the stand. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Patrick Doyle
Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on June 2, 2015. A sexual assault expert testifying at the British Columbia Supreme Court trial of a man accused of killing a 13-year-old girl six years ago says she believes the girl’s vaginal injuries were “highly indicative of blunt force trauma.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Teen victim had blunt-force injuries, court told in Ali B.C. murder trial

Crown says DNA results will prove that Ibrahim Ali sexually assaulted girl in 2017 death

Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on June 2, 2015. A sexual assault expert testifying at the British Columbia Supreme Court trial of a man accused of killing a 13-year-old girl six years ago says she believes the girl’s vaginal injuries were “highly indicative of blunt force trauma.” THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Jenn Clamen, national coordinator for the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform, speaks during a rally outside the Ontario Superior Court after the launch of their constitutional challenge to Canada’s sex work laws, on Monday, October 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin

Sex work laws constitutional, Ontario court rules after charter challenge

Challenge targeted the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act

Jenn Clamen, national coordinator for the Canadian Alliance for Sex Work Law Reform, speaks during a rally outside the Ontario Superior Court after the launch of their constitutional challenge to Canada’s sex work laws, on Monday, October 3, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Tijana Martin
Gavel (file photo)

Victims question B.C. psychiatric release, lawyers reject knee-jerk response

Questions abound about the process in the wake of Vancouver Chinatown stabbings

Gavel (file photo)
The defence lawyer at the Ibrahim Ali murder trial has put forward the theory that the person who had sex with a murder victim may not be the one who killed the teenager. Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Killer, sex partner different, defence suggests in Ali murder trial

Lawyer raises question of whether acts were connected in Ibrahim Ali’s trial in B.C. teen’s 2017 death

The defence lawyer at the Ibrahim Ali murder trial has put forward the theory that the person who had sex with a murder victim may not be the one who killed the teenager. Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
An RCMP expert testifying at Ibrahim Ali’s murder trial says she’s never seen a DNA match as close as the one between the suspect and samples found on his alleged victim — except for DNA matches between identical twins. Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on June 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Ali DNA match in B.C. teen murder exceeded only by identical twins

Ibrahim Ali has pled not guilty in killing of girl whose body was found in a B.C. park 6 years ago

An RCMP expert testifying at Ibrahim Ali’s murder trial says she’s never seen a DNA match as close as the one between the suspect and samples found on his alleged victim — except for DNA matches between identical twins. Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on June 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Chris Barber arrives for his trial at the courthouse in Ottawa, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. The court is expected to watch several lengthy press conferences hosted by the “Freedom Convoy” as the criminal trial for two of the protest’s organizers enters its seventh day.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Video evidence aims to place Lich in Freedom Convoy leadership role

Mischief trial tied to Ottawa protest focuses on strength of accused’s voice in what happened

Chris Barber arrives for his trial at the courthouse in Ottawa, on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023. The court is expected to watch several lengthy press conferences hosted by the “Freedom Convoy” as the criminal trial for two of the protest’s organizers enters its seventh day.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
The RCMP logo is seen outside the force’s ‘E’ division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 16, 2023. A British Columbia man who is suing the RCMP claims he walked naked out of his shower to find a female uniformed Mountie standing in his bedroom. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Mountie served B.C. man ticket as he stepped from his shower naked: lawsuit

Coquitlam resident suing RCMP after 2022 incident left him ‘shocked, confused and embarrassed’

The RCMP logo is seen outside the force’s ‘E’ division headquarters in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, March 16, 2023. A British Columbia man who is suing the RCMP claims he walked naked out of his shower to find a female uniformed Mountie standing in his bedroom. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
An RCMP expert testifying at the Ibrahim Ali murder trial says the suspect’s genetic profile matched that of an unknown male’s DNA found on swabs of the murder victim. Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Accused killer’s DNA matches sample found on dead B.C. teen’s body

Expert testifies at Ibrahim Ali’s murder trial in Burnaby death six years ago

An RCMP expert testifying at the Ibrahim Ali murder trial says the suspect’s genetic profile matched that of an unknown male’s DNA found on swabs of the murder victim. Media wait outside B.C. Supreme Court, in Vancouver, B.C., on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Reporters attend a news conference in Montreal Tuesday, June 5, 2012 where details about the arrest and the ongoing investigation of Luka Rocco Magnotta, in the murder of Chinese exchange student Jun Lin, were announced. Experts testified Magnotta is schizophrenic and was psychotic and out of touch with reality the night of the murder. The prosecution said Magnotta had made a promise several months earlier to take the life of a human being. He was found guilty of first-degree murder. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Chinatown stabbing puts B.C. spotlight on ‘not criminally responsible’

A closer look at some prominent national cases that focused on legal finding

Reporters attend a news conference in Montreal Tuesday, June 5, 2012 where details about the arrest and the ongoing investigation of Luka Rocco Magnotta, in the murder of Chinese exchange student Jun Lin, were announced. Experts testified Magnotta is schizophrenic and was psychotic and out of touch with reality the night of the murder. The prosecution said Magnotta had made a promise several months earlier to take the life of a human being. He was found guilty of first-degree murder. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
The Google sign is shown over an entrance to the company’s new building in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. The U.S. government is taking aim at what has been an indomitable empire: Google’s ubiquitous search engine and the lucrative digital services hatched by its unwavering status as the internet’s main gateway. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)

U.S. goes after Google in largest anti-trust suit in a generation

Officials trying to prove Google rigged the market in its favour against competitors

The Google sign is shown over an entrance to the company’s new building in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. The U.S. government is taking aim at what has been an indomitable empire: Google’s ubiquitous search engine and the lucrative digital services hatched by its unwavering status as the internet’s main gateway. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)