Police officer breached religious rights by posing as Obeah man, court hears

[rug]

Published on Monday December 17, 2012
Peter Small
Courts Bureau

Peel Region police breached the religious rights of a Jamaican Canadian family by having an officer pose as an Obeah spiritual adviser to extract information during a murder investigation, the Court of Appeal will hear Tuesday.

Evol Robinson, his brother Jahmar Welsh, and friend Ruben Pinnock are asking the court to overturn their first-degree murder convictions in the 2004 Brampton shooting of drug dealer Youhan Oraha.

The trial judge, Ontario Superior Court Justice Terrance O’Connor, erred in admitting statements made by Robinson and Pinnock to an undercover constable posing as Leon the Obeah Man, according to their claim.

The evidence was crucial to the Crown’s case against Robinson and Pinnock.

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/crime/article/1303626--police-officer-breached-religious-rights-by-posing-as-obeah-man-court-hears

[struggle4progress]

1. IMO, that is roughly comparable to posing as a defense lawyer to extract info: that is, a big no-no

[rug]

2. I agree.

I don't know the Ontario statute but the clergy privilege is deeply rooted in the common law.