preview

What Is Admissible Evidence In The Hart Trial

Decent Essays

For the public, a shocking judgement has arised from the Supreme Court of Canada on Hart’s trial—a man accused of drowning his three-year-old twin daughters. The Court ruled that videotaped confessions were inadmissible and the murder charges against Nelson Hart would be withdrawn due to insufficient evidence. For such a heartbreaking loss, the conclusion of this case seems confusing at best. However, with examination into the tactics used by undercover officers in an attempt to secure Hart’s confession, the Court uncovers injustice and emotional manipulation which disputes the legitimacy of the operation.
In 2007, Hart was charged with first degree murder and found guilty by a jury. However, an appeal was granted and the case was later presented …show more content…

Big” techniques is admissible evidence in a trial. In the case of Nelson Hart, the Court determined that the evidence would likely have a damaging effect on the accused’s character, prejudicing a guilty verdict. At the time of the operation, police had discovered that Hart was an isolated, uneducated individual. After surveillance, they learned that Hart was on social assistance and rarely left the house without his wife. Even though the police were aware of his vulnerability, they continued the operation and manipulated Hart into believing the undercover officers were his friends and colleagues. It was obvious that Hart began to care for his new friends and the operation constructed a false sense of reality for him. During the operation, Hart participated in 63 fictitious illegal acts and was treated to fancy dinners, trips, hotels, and gambling, costing the state over 400 thousand dollars. Despite the mass amount of resources used in the operation, the Court had question as to whether or not Hart’s confession in the Mr. Big operation was reliable or not. During the operation, the undercover officers also threatened Hart and convinced him that members of the fictitious gang who weren’t loyal, were subjected to …show more content…

By befriending the suspect, they drastically altered his reality and preyed on his financial and emotional needs in order to secure a confession. The police were aware that Hart was living in poverty and did not have a social life, and by offering him financial incentives and companionship the officers risked the legitimacy and reliability of the confession. This type of operation can have long term damages on the victim and irreparably damage their sense reality and

Get Access