Former teacher argues ex-girlfriend set him up to be charged for child porn possession
CBC
A former Spruce Grove, Alta., high school teacher argues that child pornography found on his computer may have been planted there by his ex-girlfriend.
Court of King's Bench Justice Kent Davidson heard closing arguments Friday in Christopher Giauque's trial for one count of possession of child pornography.
Giauque, 35, was teaching at Spruce Grove Composite High School in 2019 when he was charged.
The school is part of the Parkland School Division. Giauque is no longer teaching for the division, a spokesperson said.
The trial began in April with testimony from Giauque's ex-girlfriend Reina Grimaldo, who lived with him between 2014 and 2018.
They broke up and got back together twice before she moved out for the final time. Court heard that after the final break-up, Grimaldo visited Giauque's home on multiple occasions.
In 2019, Grimaldo reported finding material she believed was child porn on Giauque's computer. She told court she discovered the videos and pictures in a folder titled "best vids" on her then-boyfriend's computer.
Court heard that police recovered 40 photos and over 300 videos meeting the definition of child pornography from Giauque's devices.
Court also heard there were over 240,000 images and over 900 videos that were deemed to potentially feature youths. It was not possible to determine their ages.
Grimaldo testified she waited to report what she found to police because Giauque had been emotionally abusive, and because she didn't think she'd be believed.
Giauque's defence lawyer Will van Engen argued Friday that there is reasonable doubt that his client knew the child porn was on his devices.
"Christopher Giauque denied categorically ever intentionally downloading child pornography," he said, describing his client's testimony as credible.
"He is adamant that he did not knowingly possess the material so we have to look at who else had access."
Van Engen said there are two possible theories as to what happened, both of which involve Grimaldo.
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