Latest news with #P.E.I.SupremeCourt
CBC
09-04-2025
- CBC
Charlottetown woman charged with murder in death of infant daughter
A 39-year-old woman from Charlottetown has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of her baby daughter, Charlottetown police say. Cassie Acorn's child died at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax three weeks ago "while the infant was being treated for injuries sustained during an incident in Charlottetown on March 16," the city's police force said in a news release late Wednesday. Police said that after an investigation, Acorn was charged with first-degree murder contrary to Section 229(a)(ii) and Section 235(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Those sections describe the crime as culpable homicide causing the death of another person while either intending to cause death or intending to cause bodily harm that the accused knows is likely to cause death. Acorn is being held in custody and is scheduled to appear in P.E.I. Supreme Court on Thursday.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Yahoo
Charlottetown woman charged with murder in death of infant daughter
A 39-year-old woman from Charlottetown has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of her baby daughter, Charlottetown police say. The infant died at the IWK Hospital in Halifax three weeks ago "while the infant was being treated for injuries sustained during an incident in Charlottetown on March 16," the city's police force said in a news release late Wednesday. The news release said that after an investigation, Cassie Acorn was charged with murder contrary to Section 229(a)(ii) and Section 235(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Those sections describe the crime as culpable homicide causing the death of another person while either intending to cause death or intending to cause bodily harm that the accused knows is likely to cause death. The woman is being held in custody and is scheduled to appear in P.E.I. Supreme Court on Thursday.
CBC
11-02-2025
- CBC
Former school guidance counsellor pleads not guilty to 3 sex charges against minor
A former school guidance counsellor who has been charged with sex crimes against a minor has pleaded not guilty in P.E.I. Supreme Court. Bethany Jean Toombs, 41, was not in court Tuesday but her lawyer entered the pleas on her behalf on three charges: sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, and sexual assault. The alleged victim is a minor whose identity is protected by a publication ban. No trial dates have been set, but Toombs had previously opted to have her case tried before a judge and jury in the Supreme Court. "I think everyone's looking forward to having the matter resolved in court," defence attorney Chris Montigny told CBC News after entering the pleas. Montigny had previously requested a preliminary hearing, a process held before a provincial court judge that's designed to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed. In Toombs' case, the hearing had been scheduled for later this month. However, the court heard on Tuesday that Attorney General Bloyce Thompson has used his power under the Criminal Code of Canada to direct an indictment in the case. That means it will go directly to trial without a preliminary hearing. "We did ask for it, but there is a process that exists that allows the minister to direct indictment. That was their choice," Montigny said. A fourth charge was originally laid: a violation of the provincial Cannabis Control Act for allowing a minor to use the substance. At an appearance in provincial court last month, though, the Crown told the court it did not intend to pursue that charge. Before her arrest in September, Toombs was a guidance counsellor at East Wiltshire School in Cornwall. The Public Schools Branch has said it is co-operating fully with the investigation and its procedure is to place employees facing such charges on leave. Toombs was released on a number of conditions after being charged. Police have said they do not believe there are other alleged victims, and Toombs is not thought to pose a risk to the public. The case is scheduled to be back in court April 8.
CBC
07-02-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Murray Harbour councillor takes case to P.E.I. Supreme Court
Social Sharing A Murray Harbour councillor who posted a controversial sign on his property brought his case to P.E.I. Supreme Court on Thursday. Coun. John Robertson was temporarily suspended and fined by the municipality nearly a year and a half ago after he posted the sign. Robertson is pushing for a judicial review of his case, arguing his right to freedom of expression was violated. "This is a really important case for the freedom of expression of every single Canadian," said Josh Dehaas, counsel with the Canadian Constitution Foundation and one of two lawyers representing Robertson. "Yes, it's a small village. Yes, it's a small village council. But freedom of expression matters," Dehaas said. Robertson posted on a sign on his property on the weekend upon which National Day for Truth and Reconciliation fell in 2023. The sign read, in part, "Truth: mass grave hoax." Indigenous leaders interpreted the sign as calling into question the existence of suspected gravesites at former residential school properties. The mayor of Murray Harbour, the Abegweit First Nation chief and some others called for Robertson to resign from his position as councillor. A third-party investigation concluded Robertson violated multiple sections of the council's code of conduct. Those sections say, among other things, councillors must uphold the highest standards of ethical behaviour and not engage in discrimination. Robertson's lawyers argue he didn't post the sign as part of his council duties, so the code of conduct doesn't apply. "The code of conduct can't control speech of this nature," said Dehaas. "This type of political speech, on a private sign, on private property, is not something bylaw can control." Robertson was suspended from council for six months, fined $500 and ordered to apologize. He refused and applied for a judicial review of his case. Under provincial rules, Robertson only had one month after he was sanctioned to apply for a judicial review. He did not apply for three months. Lawyers argued in court Thursday over whether the judge should use his discretion to grant an extension and still hear a case. Robertson's lawyers told the judge Robertson had problems connecting with a lawyer in time and had a medical issue, which added to the delay applying for a review. The municipality's lawyer, Meaghan Hughes, argued Robertson declined to participate in the initial investigation and that there was no good reason for the delay. "There are hundreds of lawyers in P.E.I.," Hughes said. "To have only called one of them and not broadened your search during that time frame is not sufficient." The hearing on Thursday was about whether the judicial review should go forward. The judge did not make a decision or say when he will. In the meantime, Robertson is back serving on council. He has not paid the fine or issued an apology. The P.E.I. government has also ordered an investigation into Robertson's conduct — though that's on hold until court proceedings wrap up.
