R. v. Marriott (P.), (1995) 146 N.S.R.(2d) 311 (ProvCt)

JudgeGibson, P.C.J.
CourtProvincial Court of Nova Scotia (Canada)
Case DateOctober 12, 1995
JurisdictionNova Scotia
Citations(1995), 146 N.S.R.(2d) 311 (ProvCt)

R. v. Marriott (P.) (1995), 146 N.S.R.(2d) 311 (ProvCt);

  422 A.P.R. 311

MLB headnote and full text

Her Majesty the Queen v. Paul Marriott

(494611; 494612)

Indexed As: R. v. Marriott (P.)

Nova Scotia Provincial Court

Gibson, P.C.J.

November 24, 1995.

Summary:

The accused was charged with trafficking in cannabis resin contrary to s. 4(1) of the Narcotic Control Act. He alleged police entrapment in violation of his s. 7 Charter rights and sought a judicial stay pursuant to s. 24(1) of the Charter.

The Nova Scotia Provincial Court con­victed the accused.

Criminal Law - Topic 205

General principles - Common law de­fences - Entrapment - The Nova Scotia Provincial Court stated that "central to the analysis of an entrapment allegation is whether the evidence, objectively assessed, establishes that the police had a reasonable suspicion. This gives rise to a consider­ation of what threshold of evidence is required to meet the standard of reasonable suspicion" - The court stated that the onus is on the defence to prove on a balance of probabilities that entrapment occurred - The court set forth several factors that assist in considering whether the defence of entrapment has been made out - See paragraphs 15 to 16.

Criminal Law - Topic 205

General principles - Common law de­fences - Entrapment - An undercover police officer asked a known trafficker about purchasing narcotics - The trafficker took the officer to a residence where the accused sold the officer cannabis resin - The accused was charged with trafficking - He alleged police entrapment, arguing that police employed random virtue testing outside the scope of a bona fide inquiry - The Nova Scotia Provincial Court held that the accused was not entrapped and con­victed the accused of trafficking - The court found that the police officer had a reasonable suspicion that the unwitting informer would lead him to traffickers; therefore, the officer's actions fell within the scope of a bona fide inquiry - See paragraphs 17 to 33.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Mack, [1988] 2 S.C.R. 903; 90 N.R. 173; 44 C.C.C.(3d) 513; [1989] 1 W.W.R. 577; 67 C.R.(3d) 1, refd to. [para. 14].

R. v. Barnes, [1991] 1 S.C.R. 449; 121 N.R. 267; 63 C.C.C.(3d) 1, refd to. [para. 14].

R. v. Cahill (M.S.) (1992), 12 B.C.A.C. 247; 23 W.A.C. 247; 13 C.R.(4th) 327 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 15].

R. v. Kenyon (1990), 61 C.C.C.(3d) 538 (B.C.C.A.), refd to. [para. 21].

Statutes Noticed:

Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, 1982, sect. 7, sect. 24(1) [para. 2].

Narcotic Control Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. N-1, sect. 4(1) [para. 2].

Counsel:

T. Jarmyn, for the prosecution;

R. Burrill, for the defendant.

This case was heard on October 12, 1995, at Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, before Gibson, P.C.J., of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court, who delivered the following case on No­vember 24, 1995.

To continue reading

Request your trial
1 practice notes
  • R. v. Perfect (R.T.), (2001) 190 N.S.R.(2d) 37 (ProvCt)
    • Canada
    • Nova Scotia Provincial Court of Nova Scotia (Canada)
    • 18 Enero 2001
    ...54]. R. v. Milley (R.S.) (1995), 125 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 97; 389 A.P.R. 97 (Nfld. C.A.), refd to. [para. 55]. R. v. Marriott (P.) (1995), 146 N.S.R.(2d) 311; 422 A.P.R. 311 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 55]. R. v. Ziade (N.), [1999] O.A.C. Uned. 350 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 55]. R. v. Sugden......
1 cases
  • R. v. Perfect (R.T.), (2001) 190 N.S.R.(2d) 37 (ProvCt)
    • Canada
    • Nova Scotia Provincial Court of Nova Scotia (Canada)
    • 18 Enero 2001
    ...54]. R. v. Milley (R.S.) (1995), 125 Nfld. & P.E.I.R. 97; 389 A.P.R. 97 (Nfld. C.A.), refd to. [para. 55]. R. v. Marriott (P.) (1995), 146 N.S.R.(2d) 311; 422 A.P.R. 311 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 55]. R. v. Ziade (N.), [1999] O.A.C. Uned. 350 (C.A.), refd to. [para. 55]. R. v. Sugden......

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT