CBC News
August 19, 2011
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2011/08/19/nb-priest-gets-new-trial.html
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| Former priest Charles Picot will face a new trial. Former priest Charles Picot will face a new trial. CBC |
A former Roman Catholic priest in New Brunswick will have a new trial on indecent assault charges dating back to the 1970s.
Charles Picot was acquitted of the alleged 1975 indecent assault in 2010. The Crown appealed, citing grounds related to the trial judge's consideration of uncorroborated testimony.
The appeal court ruled 2-1 Friday to allow the appeal and order a new trial.
Justice J.A. Bell ruled that the complainant's testimony didn't square with evidence and with his own findings.
"In the event he did not err in that regard, he erred by not considering the confirmatory evidence available that might have served to rehabilitate [the complainant's] testimony. Consequently, I would allow the appeal and order a new trial," said Bell.
A new trial date has not yet been set.
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