She endured 3 trials after being raped by Doug Snelgrove. Now Jane Doe is thanking those who helped
CBC
The woman who was sexually assaulted by a St. John's police officer is thanking the public for championing her case after her assailant's appeal to overturn his conviction was denied.
The victim — known across the province as Jane Doe — endured three criminal trials spanning six years.
On Tuesday, she learned her attacker's conviction was upheld by the Newfoundland and Labrador Court of Appeal.
"She was very surprised yesterday when I called her," said lawyer Lynn Moore. "She said that it was good news, she was happy to hear it."
Moore has been offering legal advice to Jane Doe since her first trial.
"There have been thank-you cards that she reads frequently from people that help her through difficult times," Moore said. "There have been many people … [who] have really come out in support in a big way for her. And it was very, very important to her."
WATCH: Lynn Moore talks about fallout from the Snelgrove trials:
Snelgrove, a Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officer found guilty of sexual assault in 2021, hired a legal duo from Toronto to represent his case in the provincial appeals court.
Those lawyers asked the court to dismiss the conviction and stay the charges rather than order a fourth trial.
They argued Snelgrove should have been present for pre-trial conferences and that the judge misguided the jury when he instructed them on the concept of wilful blindness.
In the appeal decision Tuesday, the court said Snelgrove's right to be present for pre-trial conferences wasn't violated because he had signed a designation allowing his lawyers to appear on his behalf.
It also said the judge made no errors when instructing the jury.
Snelgrove can still appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, but Moore said the country's top court only takes select cases of national importance — about 80 out of 600 submissions annually.
It's not clear yet whether Snelgrove will request an appeal from the higher court.
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