Cases

R. v. Dunlop

May 2, 2001

Audio tapes of 911 phone calls, which recorded distress calls by sisters soon to be deceased, were exhibits in a murder trial.  The calls revealed that the sisters were very badly dealt with by the 911 dispatchers, and they became the focus of considerable controversy.

The accused pleaded guilty to 2nd degree murder.  Robert Tapper represented 3 TV stations and one radio station, and applied successfully for release of the tapes for broadcast purposes after the trial.

The judge noted that the burden of proof was on those opposing such an order. 

See the full judgment: R. v. Dunlop