Anne-Marie Robinson

To me, the judgment in Anne Marie's case sounds like a 1950s courtroom melodrama. Not a decision written in 2021. That's probably because the Ontario judge is applying a law originally passed in the 1950s. The rape law was repealed decades ago, but it still applies to an alleged crime that occurred before the law changed, like in R.V. Walker.

To me, the judgment in Anne Marie's case sounds like a 1950s courtroom melodrama. Not a decision written in 2021. That's probably because the Ontario judge is applying a law originally passed in the 1950s. The rape law was repealed decades ago, but it still applies to an alleged crime that occurred before the law changed, like in R.V. Walker.

Anne-Marie's case was one of the last this judge ever ruled on. He's now retired. I ordered a copy of the entire decision shortly after it was delivered. We heard a snippet in the last episode. Here's a bit more of Justice J.C. Moore's ruling in the Walker case. It's read by my CBC colleague, Malcolm Campbell.

Anne-Marie's case was one of the last this judge ever ruled on. He's now retired. I ordered a copy of the entire decision shortly after it was delivered. We heard a snippet in the last episode. Here's a bit more of Justice J.C. Moore's ruling in the Walker case. It's read by my CBC colleague, Malcolm Campbell.

Anne Marie didn't hear the judge's decision in person. In fact, she wasn't invited to attend court that day. She only saw the decision after I received the transcript. I did come away feeling like the judge didn't really understand what had happened to me. The judge told The Crown the law didn't allow him to make inferences or interpret events from 1977.

Anne Marie didn't hear the judge's decision in person. In fact, she wasn't invited to attend court that day. She only saw the decision after I received the transcript. I did come away feeling like the judge didn't really understand what had happened to me. The judge told The Crown the law didn't allow him to make inferences or interpret events from 1977.

Yet Anne Marie says the judge himself made an inference she finds unsettling.

Yet Anne Marie says the judge himself made an inference she finds unsettling.

So why did this case fail before it even got to trial? Judges don't generally talk to the media. The Crown Attorney won't do an interview. So I look for some outside analysis. After four and a half years in the criminal system, Anne-Marie has as many questions as I do. Together, we pay a visit to Pamela Cross. We're in Kingston, in my home. Kingston is east of Toronto, on Lake Ontario.

So why did this case fail before it even got to trial? Judges don't generally talk to the media. The Crown Attorney won't do an interview. So I look for some outside analysis. After four and a half years in the criminal system, Anne-Marie has as many questions as I do. Together, we pay a visit to Pamela Cross. We're in Kingston, in my home. Kingston is east of Toronto, on Lake Ontario.

There's a fire in the wood stove, knickknacks and art fill cozy rooms. Pamela is a lawyer, often advocating for women and victims of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. I've shared the transcript and other court documents with Pamela. I was just getting so mad, actually, while I was looking at all of this stuff. Silver streaks fall loose from the bun on the top of her head.

There's a fire in the wood stove, knickknacks and art fill cozy rooms. Pamela is a lawyer, often advocating for women and victims of intimate partner violence and sexual assault. I've shared the transcript and other court documents with Pamela. I was just getting so mad, actually, while I was looking at all of this stuff. Silver streaks fall loose from the bun on the top of her head.

Chunky jewelry hangs around her neck. But it's a facade. If provoked, she can swear like a sailor. What the fuck? She grabs her yellow legal pad full of notes on Anne-Marie's case. But this isn't just about Anne-Marie. And it's not just about something that happened decades ago. Pamela sees systemic issues at play in too many sexual assault cases.

Chunky jewelry hangs around her neck. But it's a facade. If provoked, she can swear like a sailor. What the fuck? She grabs her yellow legal pad full of notes on Anne-Marie's case. But this isn't just about Anne-Marie. And it's not just about something that happened decades ago. Pamela sees systemic issues at play in too many sexual assault cases.

I can't imagine why I would report that to the police. She points to the most recent stats to explain. A 2019 report from Statistics Canada.

I can't imagine why I would report that to the police. She points to the most recent stats to explain. A 2019 report from Statistics Canada.

For every 100 incidents of sexual assault in this country, only six even get reported to the police.

For every 100 incidents of sexual assault in this country, only six even get reported to the police.

Or, as in Anne-Marie's case, there's a dismissal. No trial. No conviction. The accused walks away. Pamela gives us her take on what happened in Anne-Marie's case.

Or, as in Anne-Marie's case, there's a dismissal. No trial. No conviction. The accused walks away. Pamela gives us her take on what happened in Anne-Marie's case.