A B.C. lawyer who became the first barrister in Canada to be sentenced for helping a criminal organization could face more time behind bars.
Crown prosecutors are in the B.C. Court of Appeal, fighting the one-year jail term handed to Vernon, B.C., lawyer William Mastop in April, after the 46-year-old admitted to aiding a North Okanagan gang known as The Greeks.
According to the Crown, Mastop gave the gang sensitive court documents that led to several murders, but the trial judge ruled there wasn't enough evidence to prove the information led to the deaths, and Justice Mark McEwan also found only a portion of Mastop's behaviour was criminal.
McEwan ruled Mastop's actions were little more than a "convenience" to the Greeks and said the moderate jail term should reflect Mastop's loss of career and community standing.
Mastop hasn't practised since 2010 and also faces additional disciplinary action from the Law Society of B.C., which says it could impose penalties ranging from reprimand to disbarment.
The appeal court hearing is slated for a single day and a decision from the panel of judges is expected to be reserved.