Ex-priest files appeal to Supreme Court

A former Roman Catholic priest is appealing a ruling by New Brunswick's highest court that would see him retried on a charge of indecent assault.

Charles Picot, who was a priest in the Dalhousie area, was acquitted of the alleged 1975 indecent assault in March 2010. The Crown appealed the decision, citing grounds related to the trial judge's consideration of uncorroborated testimony. In a 2-1 decision, the New Brunswick Court of Appeal ordered a new trial.

In the Court of Appeal ruling, Justice J.A. Bell said in his decision that the complainant's testimony didn't square with evidence and with his own findings.

"In the event he did not err in that regard, he erred by not considering the confirmatory evidence available that might have served to rehabilitate [the complainant's] testimony. Consequently, I would allow the appeal and order a new trial," said Bell.

Picot has now filed notice to appeal that decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.