Criminal libel charges

These are very rare charges. I've heard of them but never seen them before -- my instinct is there is a very solid Constitutional challenge to them:

http://bit.ly/abW9Rg

Friday, September 17, 2010

By Stephane Massinon, Calgary Herald

 






RCMP Supt. Randy McGinnis said the charges against John Kelly are very rare. "In my 29 years, I've never heard of an individual being charged under the criminal code for libel charges, defamation of character," McGinnis said during the news conference on Sept. 17, 2010.

CALGARY - RCMP have laid five charges against a Calgary man related to the operation of a website highly critical of Calgary police officers.

In a news conference Friday morning, RCMP announced the charges against John Kelly, 53, of Calgary.

Kelly's website accused officers of perjury, corruption and destroying evidence, RCMP said. Police deny the charges, saying they injure the reputation of Calgary police officers and interfere with an ongoing homicide investigation.

Kelly was arrested Thursday and his home in the 1600 block of 37th Street S.W. was searched following an investigation that began in March 2010. He was to appear in Calgary Provincial Court on the charges Friday morning.

RCMP Supt. Randy McGinnis said the charges are very rare.

"In my 29 years, I've never heard of an individual being charged under the criminal code for libel charges, defamation of character," McGinnis said during the news conference.