UM TodayCriminal Code – UM Today

Globe and Mail: Indigenous traditions in trials can restore trust in justice system, Manitoba chief judge says

Fiona Odlum — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 20:27:01 +0000

Brandon Trask, an assistant professor of law at the University of Manitoba, said a majority of the steps taken during the trial are achievable in other Canadian courts. But this case was unique, he cautioned. “I wouldn’t say that every aspect of this trial should be applied to future cases,” said the former Crown prosecutor in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia.

After pleading not guilty since his arrest in 2022, Mr. Skibicki admitted to the killings on the eve of the trial, but asked that the court find him not criminally responsible for murder. His lawyers argued he was not able to appreciate or understand his crimes because of his mental health. In the end, the defence was not able to prove its case, and Justice Joyal found the killings were deliberate and planned.

To read the entire article, please follow the link to the Globe and Mail.

Winnipeg Free Press: Man, 19, charged in antisemitic graffiti incidents

Fiona Odlum — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 21:50:56 +0000

Three Criminal Code offences specifically pertain to hate under a hate propaganda section, said Kenneth Grad, an assistant professor in the University of Manitoba faculty of law.

The offences are advocating genocide, public incitement of hatred and willful promotion of hatred. A subsection says a person willfully promotes antisemitism by condoning, denying or downplaying the Holocaust.

A separate section includes the offence of mischief against religious property motivated by hate, Grad noted.

To read the entire article, please follow the link to the Winnipeg Free Press.

Winnipeg Free Press: Police, prosecutors disagree on Criminal Code release ‘mandate’

Fiona Odlum — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 19:21:19 +0000

U of M law professor Brandon Trask, who used to work as a Crown attorney in the Maritimes, said he finds the police use of the term “mandated” concerning.

“It’s concerning that the public is being left with the impression that our law mandates release. Our law, generally speaking, does not mandate release — that’s a judgment call,” said Trask.

To read the entire article, please visit the link with the Winnipeg Free Press.