Saskatoon judge to make ruling on evidence in fatal THC-impaired driving case
A Saskatoon Provincial Court judge will determine whether testimony from a woman, charged with impaired driving causing the death of a child, will be used as evidence in her trial.
Nine-year-old Baeleigh Maurice was on her way to school on Sept. 9, 2021, pushing her scooter at a 33rd Street West crosswalk, when she was struck by Taylor Kennedy’s truck.
Kennedy is charged with impaired driving, exceeding the prescribed blood-drug concentration of THC, causing death.
At the crash scene, Kennedy told officers she smoked weed and micro-dosed magic mushrooms the day before.
On Friday, Kennedy’s lawyer Thomas Hynes argued her admission to drug consumption was a “compelled statement”. He said officers told her she had to “give information to police” before she was read her rights.
“This was the epitome of no free choice,” he said.
Earlier this week Kennedy took the stand in a voir dire, a hearing to determine if the evidence will be used in trial. She testified she admitted to drug consumption because she thought it was “the law."
Hynes said police “entirely changed course” when Kennedy admitted to using drugs because it changed from a traffic safety investigation to a criminal investigation.
While Hynes made his argument, a member of the gallery stood up and said it wasn’t a criminal investigation because Baeleigh ‘wasn’t dead yet’, and told Hynes to “f*cking get it right” before leaving the courtroom.
Crown prosecutor Michael Pilon said calling it a compelled statement is a stretch. He said officers never told Kennedy she was required to answer their questions.
“That was never the evidence,” he said.
Pilon said officers told her it was important for her to share information so they can “relay that to the people trying to save Baeleigh’s life."
He said Kennedy admitted to using drugs without being prompted by police.
“Both officers denied asking her about drugs,” he said.
Pilon said Kennedy’s testimony should not be accepted because it is “not believable."
He argued Kennedy gave police information, because “she knew it was her fault” and she wanted to help Baeleigh. He said everything she did after the crash was because of her experience with Katie-her friend who died in a hit and run years prior.
“She was not going to let Baeleigh become another Katie,” he said.
The judge has reserved her decision on this matter. The case has been adjourned until Wednesday morning.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Police move in to clear NYU encampment, U.S. campus arrests grow to 2,200 in pro-Palestinian protests
Police moved in to clear an encampment at New York University on Friday at the request of school officials, a move that follows weeks of pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses nationwide that have resulted in nearly 2,200 arrests by police.
Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Drew Barrymore explains how she accidentally left a list of her romantic partners at Danny DeVito's house
Danny DeVito had the opportunity to know way more about Drew Barrymore than the rest of us.
'Bare-adise' adventure: This nude cruise is due to set sail from Miami in 2025
What do you need to pack for a cruise? When it comes to this upcoming cruise from tour and travel company Bare Necessities, the answer appears to be very little.