The Rodgers Brief Adam Rodgers

This week I focus on two NS Court of Appeal decisions. One relates to the delay in Judge Rickola Brinton's decision in the sexual interference and exploitation trial of Brandon McNeil (who now goes by the name Brynn Milner), and the plentiful blame that can be laid at the feet of Judge Brinton, as well as former Provincial Court Chief Judge Pam Williams.
The other is the successful appeal of a 2nd Degree Murder charge by Gregory Purvis. The Court of Appeal found that his rights were violated through improper instructions by the trial judge to the jury deciding his case. I review those errors, and the allegation of ineffective counsel.
Also covered are the appointment of former Lieutenant Governor Myra Freeman to chair the Mass Casualty Commission implementation committee, the Trump verdict (with some commentary on the performances of the two main lawyers on the case), the lawsuit filed by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador's Justice Minister John Hogan against the Federal Government regarding equalization, along with some comments on the death of Robert Pickton and the decision to drop all charges against world #1 golfer Scott Scheffler.

This week, I start with a look down south to the charges against world #1 golfer, Scott Scheffler, before the second round of the PGA Championship. I also examine the cross examination of former personal lawyer to Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, in the trial against the former President.
In Canadian stories, I discuss the McGill University injunction application, seeking to end the student protests. I also review the case of the Nova Scotia government versus the Federal government over the needed upgrades to the Chignecto Isthmus.
Also covered are the conviction of Colin Tweedy in his retrial over the death of 10-year old Talia Forrest, the not-guilty pleas and seeking of bail in the death of Halifax teen Ahmad Al Marrach, and the retirement of Ron MacDonald, former Anitgonish prosecutor, head of SiRT, and for the past seven years the head of the BC equivalent. Ron had some wise parting words, which other like organizations should heed.

This week, I review two major reports, the Nova Scotia Mass Casualty Commission Progress Monitoring Committee report and the Foreign Interference Commission interim report.
Before that, I discuss the lack of a Charter Statement for the new Online Harms Act, the irony of the government critiquing the opposition for alluding to the Notwithstanding Clause, the rejected injunction application for the McGill campus protests, the police paraphernalia guilty plea in Sydney, and the failed Provincial Court application by Diagalon founder Jeremy MacKenzie.

This week, I cover the appointment of the new NS Justice Minister and SiRT Director, the Toronto Police Chief's Comments in the Zameer acquittal, former President Trump's claim to criminal immunity at the US Supreme Court, and how Harvey Weinstein's successful appeal would have played out in Canada.
Before that, I discuss the Pierre Poilievre well-received visit to eastern Nova Scotia and Cape Breton, and his controversial stop at the NS/NB border.

This week, I examine several cases involving juries, Jeremy MacKenzie's efforts to have his NS charges dismissed, the expanding scope of video testimony, and justice spending in the new federal budget.
First, on the 4th anniversary of the Portapique shootings, the NS Minister of Justice has resigned after his comments on domestic violence not being an 'epidemic'. I discuss those comments, as well as the lack of apparent effort on the Government's part to make the changes to domestic violence policy that the MCC recommended.
I also briefly discuss the first dog to be subject to a custody order (in BC), and a Saskatchewan father convicted of violating a custody order when he tried to keep his daughter from getting the Covid-19 vaccine.

This week, the Foreign Interference Inquiry heard interesting testimony from Han Dong and Erin O'Toole. I discuss that testimony, the benefits of the inquiry process versus the Special Rappatour option the government wanted, and reforms needed to the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections Task Force.
The Justice Minister was interviewed by Althia Raj regarding the proposed Online Harms Act. The Minister was on the defensive throughout, and did little to ease fears that this government is overreaching on the restrictions to free speech contained in the Bill.
A case out of Calgary is showing how courts will handle Medical Assistance in Dying cases on the margins. Here, the person asking to die is 27 years old, has Autism, and evidence from her father raises questions as to whether she is indeed suffering significant physical ailments.
Finally, I look to the Mass Casualty Commission report one year on. The RCMP have provided an update on their efforts to implement the report recommendations, and the Province of Nova Scotia has provided a brief update as well.