Legal Cases Involving Controversial Criminal Confessions
Explore cases involving controversial criminal confessions, including the murders of Roxanne Andrews and Cleo Sims, and the challenges faced by developmentally disabled defendants in the criminal justice system. Learn about police actions affecting case outcomes and the complexities of obtaining confessions from disabled individuals.
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Presentation Transcript
Case #1 Regina V. Mitchell November 24, 1991 Roxanne Andrews was house sitting at 1352 Juniper Street in Williams Lake. The person who killed her committed the crime of murder. She died after being stabbed twenty-five times.
Case #1 Regina V. Mitchell March 31, 1991 Cleo Sims was conducting an open house for prospective buyers at 1575 Midnight Drive in Williams Lake. The person who killed her committed the crime of first degree murder. She died after being stabbed twenty-two times, and there was evidence that she was sexually assaulted.
Case #1 Regina V. Mitchell Travis Mitchell, the man accused of the murders of Roxanne Andrews and Cleo Sims, does not admit that he killed either woman. The accused is a youth of sub normal mental capacity. The police arrested him on another charge and asked him if he understood the rights just read to him. He said that he did not understand but they continued to interrogate him. The police did not tell Mr. Mitchell that he was being detained for the murders nor did they advise him of his right to consult counsel. How might the actions of the police affect the outcome of this case? Predictions?
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED DEFENDANTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM Developmentally disabled people may be more likely than non-developmentally disabled people to exhibit characteristics, or experience social and economic conditions, that have been generally associated with criminality, such as low self esteem, poverty (Endicott, 1991), and a lack of social skills (Davis, 2002). They may also be more susceptible to nonphysical coercion during interrogation. For example, developmentally delayed defendants may find comfort in the appearance of friendliness designed to induce confidence and cooperation. The act of confessing is further complicated, in the case of developmentally disabled defendants, as the confession process assumes an understanding of Charter rights. (Everington & Fulero, 1999). Developmental Disability, Crime, and Criminal Justice: A Literature Review Simon Fraser University
Case #2 Regina V Girard Nicole Girard caused the death of Kevin Steel at Williams Lake on October 29, 1989 at approximately 02:07 hours. Girard caused the death of Steel by shooting him with a rifle in the back of the head. Any admissions and statements Girard gave were made voluntarily and none of the rights accorded to criminal suspects by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms were infringed or violated.
Case #2 Regina V Girard Girard pleaded self-defence using the battered wife syndrome. A psychiatrist provided expert testimony explaining how a battered woman might come to the conclusion that murder may be her only way to escape an abusive relationship. How might the testimony of the psychiatrist affect the outcome of this case? Predictions?
Canadian Cases of Battered Woman Syndrome In groups, analyse the cases mentioned in the article and discuss the following: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/5-cases-using-the-battered-woman- defence-1.1221150 What evidence supported the accused s defence? What details of the crime might make the defence s case difficult to prove? In your opinion, should the Battered Woman Syndrome be accepted as a legitimate defence?
