R. v. Thibeault

R. v. Thibeault

Fresh evidence met the Palmer criteria and showed that defence counsel unreasonably advised the appellant not to testify, depriving him of the only realistic means to present the available defence of honest but mistaken belief in consent; this incompetence produced a miscarriage of justice, warranting admission of...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
2014 CMAC 2
Parties
Appellant: Sous-lieutenant Jasmin Thibeault; Respondent: Sa Majesté la Reine
Court
Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
24 February 2014
Procedural Posture
Court Martial Appeal Criminal (sexual Assault) / Judgment on Appeal (motion to Admit Fresh Evidence and Challenge Ineffective Assistance of Counsel)
Outcome
Appeal allowed; conviction set aside; new trial ordered; publication ban continued
Legal Topics
Sexual Assault, Fresh Evidence on Appeal, Effective Assistance of Counsel, Mistaken Belief in Consent, Publication Ban
Source Language
en
Criminal Law Military Law Evidence Procedural Fairness Sexual Assault Fresh Evidence on Appeal Effective Assistance of Counsel Mistaken Belief in Consent +1 more

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Parties

Sous-lieutenant Jasmin Thibeault

Appellant

Sa Majesté la Reine

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Court Martial Appeal Criminal (sexual Assault) / Judgment on Appeal (motion to Admit Fresh Evidence and Challenge Ineffective Assistance of Counsel)

  1. 1 Whether fresh evidence should be admitted on appeal
  2. 2 Whether defence counsel was incompetent in advising appellant not to testify
  3. 3 Whether a miscarriage of justice resulted

Ratio Decidendi

Fresh evidence met the Palmer criteria and showed that defence counsel unreasonably advised the appellant not to testify, depriving him of the only realistic means to present the available defence of honest but mistaken belief in consent; this incompetence produced a miscarriage of justice, warranting admission of the fresh evidence, setting aside the conviction and ordering a new trial; the publication ban is to be continued.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; conviction set aside; new trial ordered; publication ban continued

Orders

  • Fresh evidence admitted on appeal
  • Conviction for sexual assault set aside