Totality of evidence allowed trial judge to reach conclusion

Offences

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Assault

Totality of evidence allowed trial judge to reach conclusion

Accused was convicted at judge-alone trial, on charge of aggravated assault. Accused claimed that judge did not properly analyze evidence of disreputable witnesses. Accused claimed trial judge misapprehended evidence of complainant and his witness. Accused claimed that trial judge made inconsistent findings as to complainant’s perception of incident. Accused finally claimed that trial judge’s finding that witness was not assailant, while accused was, was improper. Accused appealed from conviction. Appeal dismissed. Trial judge did not rely on disreputable witnessed to determine that stabbing took place by accused. Trial judge properly considered these witnesses’ evidence to determine that accused was one of assailants. This evidence was corroborated by complainant’s blood being found on accused’s pants. Other witnesses’ evidence was properly construed by trial judge. This evidence did not name accused as assailant, but excluded another person as one of assailants. This was corroborated by testimony of complainant. Trial judge properly accepted complainant’s testimony, to establish number and gender of assailants. Totality of evidence allowed trial judge to reach conclusion that accused was active participant in assault.
R. v. Pashazahiri (2017), 2017 CarswellOnt 570, 2017 ONCA 60, K.M. Weiler J.A., S.E. Pepall J.A., and G.T. Trotter J.A. (Ont. C.A.).