R v Cadeau (CO 43/2015) [2017] SCSC 202 (6 March 2017)

R v Cadeau (CO 43/2015) [2017] SCSC 202 (6 March 2017)

In the absence of medical evidence as to the accused's mental condition at the time of recording the statement, and given his history of mental illness, the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the statement was given voluntarily; therefore, the statement is inadmissible.

Citation
[2017] SCSC 202
Parties
Prosecution: The Republic; Accused: Francis Cadeau
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Seychelles
Judgment Date
6 March 2017
Case Number
CO 43/2015
Procedural Posture
Criminal / Ruling on Admissibility of Accused's Statement (voire Dire)
Outcome
statement ruled inadmissible
Legal Topics
Admissibility of Confession, Voluntariness of Statement, Mental Capacity of Accused
Source Language
English
Criminal Law Evidence Law Admissibility of Confession Voluntariness of Statement Mental Capacity of Accused

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

The Republic

Prosecution

Francis Cadeau

Accused

Procedural Posture

Criminal / Ruling on Admissibility of Accused's Statement (voire Dire)

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the accused's statement was given voluntarily and is admissible as evidence given his mental illness

Ratio Decidendi

In the absence of medical evidence as to the accused's mental condition at the time of recording the statement, and given his history of mental illness, the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the statement was given voluntarily; therefore, the statement is inadmissible.

Court Disposition

statement ruled inadmissible

Orders

  • The statement under caution is inadmissible as evidence against the accused.