Lawyers argue whether Taylor Kennedy's rights were violated at fatal collision scene
CBC
Lawyers argued at Saskatoon provincial court Thursday about whether police violated Taylor Kennedy's rights after she struck and killed nine-year-old Baeleigh Maurice in 2021.
Kennedy is charged with impaired driving causing death. After hitting Maurice on the morning of Sept. 9, Kennedy told police at the scene that she had vaped cannabis and microdosed psilocybin mushrooms the day before. Kennedy later testified in court to using the substances to combat mental health issues like anxiety.
In June, Judge Jane Wootten ruled that Kennedy's confession to police was not forced by officers, despite defence counsel's submissions that officers had compelled it.
On Thursday, lawyers argued about whether officers "psychologically detained" Kennedy by their actions. Hynes argued that Kennedy felt like she could not leave the scene, and was therefore detained and should have the right to a lawyer.
Crown prosecutor Michael Pilon disagreed, stating that she was not detained and would not have been allowed to leave because it was law to remain at the collision. He also pointed to her testimony that she voluntarily stayed to be as helpful as possible to the injured Maurice, who died later in hospital.
Pilon referenced case law in his argument, stating that other people in similar situations were not found to be detained.
The Crown and defence also argued about whether the THC screening was completed in a timely manner, as specified in the Criminal Code. The Crown said there were not tests readily available because of how recently laws had changed. The defence argued that's not an excuse for police forces.
The lawyers also debated whether Kennedy was given a right to call her lawyer before she contacted legal aid and whether a blood test Kennedy had taken was lawful.
Several of Maurice's family and supporters were in the courthouse, wearing blue shirts with the girl's face on them. Some sobbed or angrily left the room at times.
"Once again, I'm just disappointed that they're prolonging this," said Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) vice-chief Aly Bear Thursday afternoon. The FSIN represents Saskatchewan's First Nations.
Court will return on Tuesday to decide when more arguments will be heard.
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running Game
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing Game
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic Game
Over one hundred people have signed a petition asking the town not to reduce the amount of time the gym is available to play pickleball at the Stratford Recreation Centre.
Provincial health officials have declared an outbreak of tuberculosis in Edmonton's core, after lab tests confirmed two inner-city residents had the same strain of the infectious disease.
It’s 11:30 in the morning on a sunny Friday in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant neighbourhood and TJ Felix has already injected enough fentanyl and methamphetamine to kill most people, but years of drug use have raised the 36-year-old’s tolerance to unthinkable heights.
P.E.I.'s health minister confirmed the Provincial Addictions Treatment Facility in Mount Herbert will close when the government opens its new mental health and addictions campus in Charlottetown — sparking concerns among opposition MLAs about a lack of detox beds in the province.
A man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of a 24-year-old in Hay River was sentenced to 12 years in prison on Thursday.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she's on board with Prime Minister Mark Carney's second batch of key major projects picked out for potential fast-track approval.
A Squamish, B.C., man was rescued Tuesday after crashing into the side of a mountain while BASE jumping off Slhanay Mountain.
New small shops and cafes will once again be allowed to open inside some of Toronto’s neighbourhoods, reversing decades of strict planning policy that kept businesses out of residential areas.
Maritime Electric customers on Prince Edward Island won’t have to worry about a rate hike in 2026 — at least not for now.
Two years after the first report of what would become a wave of extortion attempts was made in B.C., the threats, demands and related violence continue to persist in the province.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government is earmarking $210 million for municipalities to implement traffic-calming measures as its ban on speed cameras is set to take effect.
Yellowknife teen follows grandmother's crafting footsteps finishing moccasins with her beaded uppers
A Yellowknife high school student is proudly wearing moccasins he made using pieces his late grandmother started before she died.
One of Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's caucus members went on the attack Wednesday against a constituent trying to get her kicked out of the legislature.