The Queen v. C.(D.) 2015
Client was found unconscious behind the wheel of his running truck as it sat straddling the white line of a busy highway. When the police officer opened the door of the vehicle he immediately smelled the distinct odours of alcohol and ether. Soon after he smelled the odour of alcohol on the client’s breath. Upon searching the vehicle, the officer found an empty vodka bottle and a partially empty canister of ether. At trial, Mr. van der Walle called an expert toxicologist to the stand to testify that the overwhelmingly symptoms of drunkenness observed by the officer were equally consistent with intoxication from ether as they were with intoxication from alcohol. In the end the judge had a doubt that the client had voluntarily become intoxicated. That is, because it was possible the ether canister discharged by itself, there was a doubt that the client intentionally became intoxicated. Not guilty. Client did not testify.
Related Stories
The King v. C.(R.) 2024
The police began investigating the client after a woman reported to them that two men had come to the door looking for her son. The woman explained that the men had told her son that he owed money from a drug debt and that he would be hurt if he did not pay. When...
The King v. T.(R.) 2024
Police were conducting a surveillance operation on the client and many other members of a suspected drug trafficking group in Vernon, Armstrong, and Enderby. The client was well known to police as he had a lengthy criminal record including no less than 7 prior...
The King v. S.(M.) 2024
A semi truck driver was cruising on the highway just outside of Revelstoke when another vehicle pulled out to pass him on a double solid line. While executing the pass, the other vehicle ended up clipping the semi as it tried to pull back into its lane which resulted...
REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION
Call 1.877.212.9645
Or fill out the form below to receive a free and confidential initial consultation.