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R. v. Hinse

24320-1997-01-21 [1997] 1 SCR 3 Decision date 1997-01-21 Docket 24320 English

Judges Lamer, Antonio; La Forest, Gérard V.; Sopinka, John; Gonthier, Charles Doherty; Cory, Peter deCarteret; McLachlin, Beverley; Iacobucci, Frank

Delivered by Gonthier J.

On appeal from Quebec

Subjects Criminal law

Contents

Gonthier J.

The appellant is appealing a stay of proceedings order rendered by the Court of Appeal proprio motu without an application having been made to it, in particular by the appellant, the appellant being thus deprived of the possibility of obtaining an acquittal, if not from the Court of Appeal, at least by a jury of his peers.

In the circumstances, being of the view that the evidence could not allow a reasonable jury properly instructed to find the appellant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, we are all of the view that the appropriate remedy is an acquittal.

Accordingly, the appeal is allowed, the stay of proceedings order is set aside and the acquittal of the appellant is entered. Judgment accordingly. Solicitors for the appellant: Langlois Robert, Montréal. Solicitor for the respondent: The Attorney General of Quebec, Montréal.