Prosecutors will try to limit the damage VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A defence lawyer says the charges against four senior RCMP officers involved in the Surrey Six case could derail the entire case. News1130 Legal Analyst Michael Shapray says any issues that cast doubt on the work of investigators could be a major focus during a trial. "That’s even more heightened … Read More
Why Riot Photos may Not be Enough Evidence in Court
In the handful of days since riots tore through downtown Vancouver, locals have taken to Facebook and other social media as a way to identify troublemakers and vandals. But despite massive amounts of photographic evidence that appear to show rioters committing vandalism, smashing windows and assaulting bystanders, sometimes a photo is simply just a photo. Michael Shapray, a criminal lawyer, … Read More
Photographers may have to testify in riot trials
Vancouverites seeking justice have taken to the internet in droves to post pictures of those involved in the Stanley Cup riots, but lawyers say the amateur photographers may have more work ahead of them. Many people suspected to have been involved in Wednesday’s riot are already being tried in the court of public opinion as their photos are displayed on … Read More
No shortage of photo and video evidence Lawyer: video evidence is very strong in court
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Between smart phones, cameras, and news crews, there’s no shortage of crystal clear images and video from the riot. Vancouver Police are hoping they will lead to convictions for those who took part in the destruction, and one lawyer says that evidence will stand. News1130 legal analyst Michael Shapray says once police know who submitted the photos, … Read More
Ex-solicitor general questions impaired driving review
CBC News The is growing disagreement among B.C. Liberal MLAs about how to handle the enforcement of the province’s new impaired driving laws. (CBC) There is growing disagreement within the Liberal caucus about B.C.’s tough new penalties for impaired driving, with one former solicitor general criticizing calls for a review. On Monday, newly appointed Solicitor General Rich Coleman appeared to … Read More
Halloween party hosts should watch their guests drinking – Michael Shapray
We look at Halloween and BC’s new drinking and driving laws Mike Lloyd/Jesse Johnston VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Halloween is this Sunday, and it’ll be a full weekend of parties right across the Lower Mainland. It’s a scary holiday for hosts dealing with BC’s tough new drunk driving laws. It has never been tougher to watch guests and make sure they … Read More
Canadians Split On Introducing Cameras Into Courtrooms – Michael Shapray
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A new Angus Reid poll has found half of us want to watch court proceedings from our living rooms. The pollsters’ survey revealed 49 per cent of those asked would like to see cameras in courtrooms. The debate has always been about access versus the impact cameras could have on those in court who know they are … Read More
Legal expert says Col Williams’ sentence is “very harsh”
Michael Shapray weighs in on Colonel’s sentencing Tanya Fletcher VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Our legal expert says Colonel Russell Williams’ sentence is one of the most severe under Canadian law. Michael Shapray tells News1130 why the judge didn’t give Williams two consecutive 25-year sentences: “We don’t have 7,500 year sentences like you hear in the U.S., and because they were two … Read More
Charges against coroner may affect investigation credibility – Legal analyst says coroner’s work could come under scrutiny
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The credibility of two police investigations may come into question now that a former Lower Mainland coroner has been charged with indignity to human remains. News1130’s legal analyst Michael Shapray says, “The Coroner plays a significant role in any murder or homicide case.” He tells us they are responsible for examining the bodies and are often the … Read More
DUI investigation involving a police officer
Canwest News Service Forthwith, it shall ever be known as The Full Monty Defence. You drink and drive. Maybe enough to blow over the limit, maybe not: Only an onsite breathalyser test would be able to establish that fact. Soon after, you get into an accident. Rather than staying at the scene of the accident, as the law and common … Read More