Appeal from sexual assault conviction involving a child. At trial, the complainant’s two video-recorded statements were adopted and admitted (as per s 715.1) along with a written statement made by the complainant in the course of the first video interview. Issue as to whether s 715.1 CC only permits admission of a “video recording” and whether the trial judge erred in admitting the written statement.
Held: Appeal dismissed.
“[T]he written statement was an integral, documented part of the interview process and a part of the video-recorded statement; the complainant was clearly uncomfortable discussing her relationship with the appellant verbally, and her written answers were used to facilitate her verbal responses”. Trial judge did not err in admitting the written statement.
S. Renouf – Defence Counsel