R v GRANDINETTI, 2003 ABCA 307 – (McFayden)

Discretion of trial judge

[84] In R. v. Faid (1981), 1981 ABCA 139 (CanLII), 61 C.C.C. (2d) 28 (Alta. C.A.), rev’d on other grounds, 1983 CanLII 136 (SCC), [1983] 1 S.C.R. 265, this Court held that the seating location of an accused during a trial is a matter solely in the discretion of the trial judge. It was also held that unless the trial judge’s exercise of discretion manifestly precluded the accused from making full answer and defence to the charge, that discretion cannot be interfered with (at 40).