Case information

Criminal law — Jurors — Discharge of jurors — Reasons — Sufficiency of reasons — Charge to jury — Evidence — Identity — Alleged similarity of facts in multiple counts — What is the proper procedure and reasonable scope of an inquiry into whether to discharge a juror for reasonable cause — Are trial judges required to provide sufficient reasons for admitting presumptively inadmissible similar fact evidence — Should jury instructions on similar fact evidence be tailored to circumstances of the case including a review of the evidence and similarities and dissimilarities between alleged similar facts — Should jury instructions on identification be tailored to the circumstances of the case including a review of evidence and an explanation of why it must be scrutinized with considerable care?

Case summaries are prepared by the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (Law Branch). Please note that summaries are not provided to the Judges of the Court. They are placed on the Court file and website for information purposes only.

(PUBLICATION BAN IN CASE)

Three sex workers described violent encounters with a client to police. Mr. Chemama was charged with three counts of sexual assault, three counts of confinement, and three counts of uttering death threats. Trial proceeded before a jury. One juror was discharged. The jury found Mr. Chemama not guilty of one count each of sexual assault, forcible confinement and uttering death threats and guilty of all other charges. The Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal.