Attempts and Accessories After the Fact (Sentencing Cases)

From Criminal Law Notebook
This page was last substantively updated or reviewed January 2015. (Rev. # 96830)

Offence Wording

Attempts, accessories

463. Except where otherwise expressly provided by law, the following provisions apply in respect of persons who attempt to commit or are accessories after the fact to the commission of offences:

(a) every one who attempts to commit or is an accessory after the fact to the commission of an indictable offence for which, on conviction, an accused is liable to be sentenced to imprisonment for life is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years;
(b) every one who attempts to commit or is an accessory after the fact to the commission of an indictable offence for which, on conviction, an accused is liable to imprisonment for fourteen years or less is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term that is one-half of the longest term to which a person who is guilty of that offence is liable;
(c) every one who attempts to commit or is an accessory after the fact to the commission of an offence punishable on summary conviction is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction; and
(d) every one who attempts to commit or is an accessory after the fact to the commission of an offence for which the offender may be prosecuted by indictment or for which he is punishable on summary conviction
(i) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding a term that is one-half of the longest term to which a person who is guilty of that offence is liable, or
(ii) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

R.S., 1985, c. C-46, s. 463; R.S., 1985, c. 27 (1st Supp.), s. 59; 1998, c. 35, s. 120.

CCC (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 463

Murder

Accessory after fact to murder

240. Every one who is an accessory after the fact to murder is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for life.
R.S., c. C-34, s. 223.

CCC (CanLII), (DOJ)


Note up: 240

Sentences

Case Name Prv. Crt. Sentence Summary
R v Hynes, 2014 NSSC 119 (CanLII), per Edwards J NS SC 3 years imprisonment Offender helped principle roll up body into a carpet. Offender fearful due to principal's reputation for violence.
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Keywords: None
R v Gwyn, 2009 ABPC 212 (CanLII), per Fradsham J AB PC 6 years imprisonment Offender assisted in disposing of body, thought of idea to burn it.
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Keywords: None
R v Steadman,
2008 BCSC 1613 (CanLII), (2008) BCJ 2284, per Barrow J
BC SC 4 years imprisonment offender helped dismember body and dispose of evidence
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Keywords: None
R v Gowen, 2011 NSSC 259 (CanLII), per Hood J NS SC 3 years imprisonment Offender assisted principle in creating alibi for homicide. Offender plead guilty early on.
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Keywords: None
R v G, 2006 NSPC 58 (CanLII), per MacDougall J NS PC 2 years less a day CSO (accessory x 2) Record:Impaired; drug poss'n; driving while disqual. Orders: firearms prohibition; DNA
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Keywords: None
R v Tutin, 2004 NWTSC 20(*no CanLII links) NWT SC 3.5 years imprisonment Offender assisted in disposing and moving body
Keywords: None
R v Dow, 2003 NSSC 82 (CanLII), per Wright J NS SC
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Keywords: None
R v Nolan, 2001 BCCA 354 (CanLII), per Ryan JA BC CA
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Keywords: None
R v Campbell,
2001 CanLII 25674 (NS SC), [2001] NSJ No 410, per Gruchy J
NS SC 3 years imprisonment (JR) Offender assisted in cleaning up the body and blood.
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Keywords: None
R v Lowe,
1998 CanLII 5350 (BC SC), , 1998 CarsellBC 2575, per Preston J
BC SC 1 year CSO Offender helped put body in barrel under threats. The offender was 54 years old at the time and retired.
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Keywords: None
R v Beam, (1994) OJ 1359 (Gen. Div.)(*no CanLII links) ON 15 months imprisonment Offender assisted in cleaning up location of murder and move body
Keywords: None
R v Wisdom, 1992 CarswellOnt 1757 (Gen.Div.)(*no CanLII links) 5 years imprisonment Offender hired the killer to get money from the victim. Offender orchestrated disposal of body.
Keywords: None
R v Kuzniak, (1989) 60 Man. R. (2d) 270 (MBCA)(*no CanLII links) MB CA
Keywords: None
R v Drew, (1989) 7 WCB (2d) 394 (NSSC)(*no CanLII links) NS SC
Keywords: None
R v Murdoch, (1988) 5 WCB (2d) 341(*no CanLII links)
Keywords: None
R v Ropchan, 1986 CarswellYukon 54, 1 YR 225(*no CanLII links) YK 3 months imprisonment The offender witnessed murder, helped get rid of evidence and then refused to cooperate with police as a witness. He feared for his life. No prior record.
Keywords: None