A Charter challenge on Canada’s hate crime laws began today in BC Supreme Court in Quesnel.
Arthur Topham, who was found guilty of one of two counts of promoting hatred against an identifiable group launched the challenge which is expected to run all week.
A 12-member jury found Topham guilty back in November.
The charges were laid in connection with comments he made on his Radical Press website between April of 2011 and May of 2012.
He is accused of promoting hatred against those of the Jewish faith.
Topham’s lawyer claimed that his client was exercising his rights of freedom of speech and that he was simply making statements in the public interest for the public benefit. The crown argued that the evidence promoting hatred on the site was “blatant”,
Sentencing for Topham was delayed so that his charter challenge could be heard first.
w/ files from George Henderson MY CARIBOO NOW