Uploaded April 2010 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
Michael Briscoe will again stand trial in the sex slaying of Edmonton teen Nina Courtepatte, and Joseph Laboucans first-degree murder conviction in the same case has been reinstated in a pair of decisions handed down Thursday by the Supreme Court of Canada.
Briscoe was initially acquitted, but the Court of Appeal ordered a new trial, because the judge didnt consider the possibility that Briscoe was wilfully blind. The Supreme Court agreed.
Even (Briscoes) own statements to police, on which the trial judge relied heavily, suggest that he had a strong, well-founded suspicion that someone would be killed at the golf course and that he may have been wilfully blind to the kidnapping and prospect of sexual assault, the Supreme Court stated in its decision. His statements also show that he deliberately chose not to inquire about what the members of the group intended to do, because he did not want to know.
Briscoe, 34 at the time of Ninas death, once again faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated sexual assault and kidnapping.
Laboucan was 19 when Nina died. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life before the conviction was overturned by the Alberta Court of Appeal.
The trial judge rejected Laboucans testimony, believing he had reason to lie. The Court of Appeal said this showed the judge did not presume Laboucan innocent.
Canadas top court determined that the judges consideration of Laboucans motives in testimony did not undermine the presumption of innocence.
Michael Briscoe will again stand trial in the sex slaying of Edmonton teen Nina Courtepatte, and Joseph Laboucans first-degree murder conviction in the same case has been reinstated in a pair of decisions handed down Thursday by the Supreme Court of Canada.
Briscoe was initially acquitted, but the Court of Appeal ordered a new trial, because the judge didnt consider the possibility that Briscoe was wilfully blind. The Supreme Court agreed.
Even (Briscoes) own statements to police, on which the trial judge relied heavily, suggest that he had a strong, well-founded suspicion that someone would be killed at the golf course and that he may have been wilfully blind to the kidnapping and prospect of sexual assault, the Supreme Court stated in its decision. His statements also show that he deliberately chose not to inquire about what the members of the group intended to do, because he did not want to know.
Briscoe, 34 at the time of Ninas death, once again faces charges of first-degree murder, aggravated sexual assault and kidnapping.
Laboucan was 19 when Nina died. He was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life before the conviction was overturned by the Alberta Court of Appeal.
The trial judge rejected Laboucans testimony, believing he had reason to lie. The Court of Appeal said this showed the judge did not presume Laboucan innocent.
Canadas top court determined that the judges consideration of Laboucans motives in testimony did not undermine the presumption of innocence.
