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R. v. Mcginn, [1989] 1 S.C.R. 1035

 

David McGinn             Appellant

 

v.

 

Her Majesty The Queen                                                                   Respondent

 

Indexed as:  R. v. Mcginn

 

File No.:  20423.

 

1989:  April 26.

 


Present:  Lamer, Wilson, La Forest, Sopinka and Cory JJ.

 

on appeal from the court of appeal for alberta

 

                   Criminal law ‑‑ Narcotics ‑‑ Evidence ‑‑ Trafficking in a narcotic ‑‑ Parties to an offense ‑‑ Whether compelling evidence to the effect that appellant was a party to the offense.

 

                   APPEAL as of right from a judgment of the Alberta Court of Appeal (1987), 78 A.R. 247, dismissing an appeal from a conviction for trafficking in a narcotic. Appeal allowed and new trial ordered.

 

                   Alexander D. Pringle, for the appellant.

 

                   S. R. Fainstein, Q.C., and D. J. Avison, for the respondent.

 

                   The judgment of the Court was delivered orally by

 

                   Lamer J. ‑‑ We are all of the view that we cannot conclude that, in the absence of the error shown to have been made, the result would necessarily have been the same. As we are also of the view that there is evidence remaining upon which a trier of fact could reasonably convict, upon allowing this appeal, we would order a new trial.

 

                   The appeal is allowed, the order of the Court of Appeal is quashed, and a new trial is ordered.

 

                   Judgment accordingly.

 

                   Solicitor for the appellant:  Alexander D. Pringle, Edmonton.

 

                   Solicitor for the respondent:  John C. Tait, Ottawa.

 

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