TORONTO - The Ontario Court of Appeal will hear on Monday the case of a man convicted in 1994 of murdering his four-year-old niece.
William Mullins-Johnson of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in September 1994 based on forensic evidence from discredited pathologist Dr. Charles Smith.
Mullins-Johnson's conviction was upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada.
But in July, Justice Minister Rob Nicholson ordered a new appeal in the case.
"There is now significant new evidence that was not available at the time of Mr. Mullins-Johnson's trial that casts serious doubt on the correctness of his conviction for murder,'' Nicholson said at the time.
The appeal is expected to require one day.
Mullins-Johnson may testify, and expert testimony relating to Smith's forensic findings is also expected to be presented.
The court is taking steps to provide a webcast of the hearing.
