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Calgary police officers to appeal corruption conviction in harassment case

Mar 28, 2019 | 11:45 AM

CALGARY — Two former Calgary police officers found guilty of misusing department computers and harassing a woman in a custody battle have filed appeals.

Court documents say Bradford McNish and Bryan Morton are appealing both their convictions and sentences.

The two were convicted last year — along with former officer Anthony Braille — of corruption-related crimes.

Last week, a judge sentenced Morton to 30 months in jail, McNish to six months and Braille to three months.

Morton and McNish cite a number of alleged errors by the trial judge as grounds for their appeals.

Court heard the three officers were paid thousands of dollars to monitor the movements of Akele Taylor, the ex-wife of Calgary businessman Ken Carter.

The three were approached by the owner of a private investigation firm to help dig up information about Taylor.

They were charged in 2016 after Calgary police documents revealed that the officers had used the force’s computers and conducted surveillance while on duty.

Morton’s appeal notice asks that his conviction be set aside or that he be granted a new trial. Failing that, he wants his jail time reduced or changed to a conditional sentence.

McNish is asking for a new trial.

Braille was dismissed by the service shortly before the charges were laid because of his role in an unrelated high-speed chase.

Morton and McNish were put on leave without pay.

 

The Canadian Press