Court

A man arrested for an altercation with an SPCA officer involving a gun was deemed not criminally responsible in Courtenay Provincial Court on May 31. Record file pic

Island man found not criminally responsible after SPCA official threatened with a gun

Suspect was arrested following 2021 altercation with SPCA officer at Comox Valley farm

A man arrested for an altercation with an SPCA officer involving a gun was deemed not criminally responsible in Courtenay Provincial Court on May 31. Record file pic
A Comox Valley man was sentenced in provincial court May 30 for child pornography possession and distribution. Photo by Mike Chouinard

Vancouver Island man sentenced six months for child porn possession

“The biggest hardship has been the collateral damage to my family.”

A Comox Valley man was sentenced in provincial court May 30 for child pornography possession and distribution. Photo by Mike Chouinard
Craig James, former clerk of the B.C. legislative assembly, arrives back at B.C. Supreme Court after a break from his trial, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Former B.C. legislature clerk to be sentenced July 4 for $1,900 in misspending

Craig James found not guilty on counts related to retirement benefit and purchase of a wood splitter

Craig James, former clerk of the B.C. legislative assembly, arrives back at B.C. Supreme Court after a break from his trial, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Courthouse in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file)

Man sentenced to 4 years after sexually abusing 14-year-old in Nanaimo

Man sentenced in provincial court in Nanaimo for charges from 2019

Courthouse in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file)
A rottweiler puppy waits to be examined by a veterinarian during a free animal health care clinic for the pets of low or no income residents, in Abbotsford in 2019. A May 2022 B.C. small claims decision involving a rottweiler demonstrates the complexity of shared pet custody. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Dog ownership split between multiple exes makes for tricky B.C. custody case

B.C. woman ordered to return dog to ex, ex’s old partner despite claim it was gifted to her verbally

A rottweiler puppy waits to be examined by a veterinarian during a free animal health care clinic for the pets of low or no income residents, in Abbotsford in 2019. A May 2022 B.C. small claims decision involving a rottweiler demonstrates the complexity of shared pet custody. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The BC Prosecution Service announced a number of policy changes May 20, aimed at bettering the justice system for Indigenous people. (Credit: Cliff MacArthur/provincialcourt.bc.ca)

New BC Prosecution document guides against excessive incarceration of Indigenous people

Prosecutors reminded to always consider impacts of colonialism, residential schools

The BC Prosecution Service announced a number of policy changes May 20, aimed at bettering the justice system for Indigenous people. (Credit: Cliff MacArthur/provincialcourt.bc.ca)
New photo display at the entrance to the DD memorial site on the Pacific Circle Route. (Photo submitted)

Six years and counting: Family angry fatal Chemainus stabbing still before the courts

Accused in Descoteau death now pursuing not criminally responsible defence despite pleading guilty

New photo display at the entrance to the DD memorial site on the Pacific Circle Route. (Photo submitted)
The courthouse in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file)

Man sentenced in Nanaimo court to jail time for sex assault and child luring

Antonio John Charlie-Matias to serve two years for separate offences

The courthouse in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file)
A woman who was injured in a car crash by her husband was awarded almost $800,000 on May 11 in B.C. Supreme Court. (Pexels)

Inattentive B.C. husband owes wife nearly $800,000 after he rear-ended her car

The crash left the woman with injuries and lasting pain

A woman who was injured in a car crash by her husband was awarded almost $800,000 on May 11 in B.C. Supreme Court. (Pexels)
BC Appeal Court has dismissed South Surrey mother Lisa Batstone’s appeal of her sentence for second-degree murder in connection with the December 2014 smothering death of her eight-year-old daughter Teagan. (File photos)

B.C. mother fails in appeal of 15-year sentence for her daughter’s murder

Bid to reduce time served without elegibility for parole dismissed in BC Appeal Court

BC Appeal Court has dismissed South Surrey mother Lisa Batstone’s appeal of her sentence for second-degree murder in connection with the December 2014 smothering death of her eight-year-old daughter Teagan. (File photos)
Free Reformed Church is seen as people attend Sunday Service, in Chilliwack, B.C., on Sunday, February 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Crown drops COVID charges against Fraser Valley pastors accused of violating public health orders

Fines totalling $55,200 dropped against three Chilliwack pastors

Free Reformed Church is seen as people attend Sunday Service, in Chilliwack, B.C., on Sunday, February 21, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A B.C. man was denied a $5,000 damage claim May 10, for an injury he sustained from a falling portable speaker at the Columbia SkyTrain station. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. man denied $5K claim after portable speaker hit his shin at SkyTrain station

Speaker fell after a fellow passenger’s bag tore open

A B.C. man was denied a $5,000 damage claim May 10, for an injury he sustained from a falling portable speaker at the Columbia SkyTrain station. (Black Press Media file photo)
A man who killed his mother in Gibsons in 2020 was found by a B.C. Supreme Court judge last week to be not criminally responsible for his actions. (Black Press Media file photo)

Man who killed his mother with an axe in Gibsons found not criminally responsible

Kevin Webster remains in care at psychiatric hospital

A man who killed his mother in Gibsons in 2020 was found by a B.C. Supreme Court judge last week to be not criminally responsible for his actions. (Black Press Media file photo)
Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have taken legal action after being suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. Their case got underway on Wednesday. (Black Press Media file photos)

Two B.C. school trustees suing for reinstatement after suspensions for bullying

Trustees argue suspensions over statements about staff disproportionate, beyond school board powers

Greater Victoria School District trustees Diane McNally and Rob Paynter have taken legal action after being suspended from their duties until October for misconduct relating to bullying and harassment complaints. Their case got underway on Wednesday. (Black Press Media file photos)
Geoff Regier (far left) had his charges dropped on Friday (April 29). (Submitted)

Crown drops charges on one of four Abbotsford hog protestors

Geoff Regier’s charges dropped after lawyers argue ‘abuse of process’ related to SPCA

Geoff Regier (far left) had his charges dropped on Friday (April 29). (Submitted)
The Comox Valley Regional District has conmmenced legal action against the shipbreaking company in Union Bay. File photo

Comox Valley Regional District sues to halt Union Bay shipbreaking operation

Regional officials say controversial Deep Water Recovery activities not permitted under bylaw

  • Apr 25, 2022
The Comox Valley Regional District has conmmenced legal action against the shipbreaking company in Union Bay. File photo
Courthouse in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file)

Man accused of coffee house murder in Nanaimo fit to stand trial, psychiatric report finds

Preliminary inquiry for James Carey Turok expected to be scheduled on May 17

Courthouse in Nanaimo. (News Bulletin file)
A judge found Lucus Morine guilty of all but one charge in provincial court in Courtenay on April 13. Record file pic

Accused guilty of all but one count in Vancouver Island axe attacks

Lucus Morine was charged following Comox Valley road rage-type incidents last October

  • Apr 14, 2022
A judge found Lucus Morine guilty of all but one charge in provincial court in Courtenay on April 13. Record file pic
Alberta Justice Minister Jonathan Denis comments on an auditor general’s report in Edmonton on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Ex-Alberta justice minister found in contempt of court for defamation-threat letter

Judge ruled letter was an attempt to intimidate Dr. Anny Sauvageau while she was on witness stand

Alberta Justice Minister Jonathan Denis comments on an auditor general’s report in Edmonton on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Lucus Morine was arrested at Ryan Road in Courtenay last October after three incidents related to damaging vehicles with an axe. Bev Dempsey-Orr file photo

Accused testifies in Vancouver Island axe attack road rage case

Lucus Morine pleaded to mischief, but judge still has to give verdict on other charges

Lucus Morine was arrested at Ryan Road in Courtenay last October after three incidents related to damaging vehicles with an axe. Bev Dempsey-Orr file photo