Intimidation of a justice system participant or journalist
R. v. Cox
Sentence and the Crown's position
What the law allows
Kaz Henry Cox was found guilty after trial of intimidating a justice system participant, his estranged wife, who was a witness in his first-degree murder prosecution, in January 2020 while he was in pre-trial detention; he was acquitted of a second count. The Crown sought two years in a penitentiary, and Mr. Cox, who represented himself, did not propose a sentence. Judge Duffy imposed two years in a penitentiary, consecutive to the sentences he is serving other than his life sentence, finding that the need for denunciation and deterrence required a carceral sentence.
In the judge's words
1Parliament’s intention was to bind courts to give primary consideration to the objectives of denunciation and deterrence for offences against peace officers or other justice system participants. A community-based sentence would endanger public safety to a degree that is unfit in my view; the need for deterrence demands a carceral sentence.
The record
- Convicted of
- Prior convictions
- Not recorded
- At the time of the offence
- Not stated1
- Appeal
- Not yet checked
- Counsel
- Crown: Sarah Kirby
Defence: Self-represented
Sources
- R. v. Cox, 2025 NSPC 15 Court decision, CanLII, May 21, 2025
[12] The Crown recommended a two-year period of incarceration in a penitentiary, together with ancillary non-communication and DNA orders.
[1] This decision considers the appropriate sentence for Mr. Kaz Cox following the Court’s finding of guilt
[107] … Parliament’s intention was to bind courts to give primary consideration to the objectives of denunciation and deterrence for offences against peace officers or other justice system participants. A community-based sentence would endanger public safety to a degree that is unfit in my view; the need for deterrence demands a carceral sentence.
[119] The warrant of committal is to be endorsed in accordance with s. 719 for a two-year sentence in a penitentiary, to be served consecutively to the other sentences Mr. Cox is serving, except the life sentence, to which this sentence will be served concurrently.
- Criminal Code, s. 423.1 Record, Justice Laws Website
- R. v. Cox, 2025 NSPC 15 Court decision, Courts of Nova Scotia