​MAN CHARGED WITH IMPORTING AND TRANSFERRING FIREARMS ACQUITTED OF ALL COUNTS

R. v. S.B.
 
Mr. S.B. was one of 54 people who were charged as part of Project Traveller, an organized crime operation involving the importation of firearms from Detroit, Michigan to Windsor, Ontario and the subsequent sale of those firearms to members of the Dixon City Bloods in Toronto.  Mr. S.B. was the only person who went to trial and was acquitted of all counts by a jury of his peers. Originally he faced eight firearms related charges.  Two were dismissed after the preliminary inquiry and one more was withdrawn prior to trial following thoughtful negotiations between Ms. Bristow and the Crown attorney.
 
Ms. Bristow ran a focused trial whereby much of the Crown’s case was not contested.  The first half of the trial, the Crown called evidence.  On its face, the case against Mr. S.B. appeared strong.  However, the tables turned once Mr. S.B. hit the stand.  He testified to what was actually happening on the dates in question. 
 
Mr. S.B. came across as a credible witness, and the jury saw that.  It was not without practice, however.  Testifying is not a regular occurrence for most people.  Sitting in a witness box, in front of 12 of your peers, knowing that your liberty is at stake is even scarier.  Ms. Bristow and Mr. S.B. worked together to prepare his testimony and ensure that he did not feel nervous or get clamed up and rather testified with confidence and candour. 
 
After Mr. S.B. testified, Ms. Bristow made a tactical move and called a former co-accused to the stand.  He had a lengthy criminal record and had plead guilty to the same offences that Mr. S.B. was charged with.  However, he corroborated much of Mr. S.B.’s testimony which gave a ring of truth to what Mr. S.B. said.  After a day and a half of deliberations and only one question the jury acquitted Mr. S.B. of all of the charges.  Mr. S.B. walked out of the courtroom with tears in his eyes because his nightmare was finally over. 

If you have a criminal matter and would like to contact Ms. Bristow for a free consultation, please contact her by phone at 416-598-5741 or email at bristow@criminaltriallawyers.ca

Note:  Past successes do not guarantee future successes