CANADA
Nunatsiaq Online
DAVID MURPHY
The trial of Eric Dejaeger has been adjourned until March 17 so Crown prosecutors can make a legal case for introducing the accused’s criminal record as evidence.
If the court deems that Dejaeger has put his character in jeopardy, then the Crown can further explore impeaching the character of the accused based on details of those previous convictions.
Because such evidence can be highly prejudicial to an accused person, Crown lawyers can’t introduce it until after they first persuade a judge that the value of such evidence outweighs its prejudicial effects.
To do that, Crown attorney Doug Curliss must review the transcript of Dejaeger’s testimony — and that takes time.
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