The Alberta Court of Appeal overturned former Alberta justice minister Jonathan Denis’s contempt of court conviction. .A Monday hearing saw a three-judge panel agree with Denis’s lawyer, and found Court of King’s Bench Justice Doreen Sulyma made procedural errors when she found Denis tried to intimidate former chief medical examiner Anny Sauvageau during her wrongful dismissal lawsuit. .Denis was found to be in contempt of court for sending a letter to Sauvageau in the middle of her wrongful dismissal trial in April..READ MORE: Former justice minister Denis found in contempt of court, plans to appeal.Denis’s lawyer said an appeal would be filed. .The letter complained of a continuing campaign of defamation by Sauvageau against him, threatening a possible lawsuit against her..Alberta Court of Appeal Justice Ritu Khullar declined to stay the conviction and denied a request for an expedited appeal in May. .READ MORE: Former justice minister fails to overturn contempt of court conviction.“If the appeal is ultimately successful, and this court quashes the finding of contempt, Mr. Denis has not shown why that would not repair any damage to his reputation,” said Khullar. .No sanctions for the conviction had been imposed. .Justice Barbara Veldhuis said Sulyma’s decision was “procedurally flawed” and agreed to void the finding. The other two judges on the panel agreed. .While the court left open the possibility for the Alberta attorney general to charge and try Denis, Alberta Justice did not send lawyers to the hearing and offered no position on the ordeal. .Denis said he was pleased to have the issue settled and the record cleared. .“I am grateful to have this behind me and see that justice has been served,” he said. .“There was never any intent to influence testimony.” .He said he takes his responsibilities as a lawyer seriously. He added he strives to “conduct myself in a way that is positive and honourable.”
