Romeo Cormier leaves court in Moncton, N.B., on March 25, 2010. He is accused of abducting a New Brunswick woman.ANDREW VAUGHAN/THE CANADIAN PRESS
A New Brunswick man who was found guilty of abducting a woman and sexually assaulting her for almost a month is in court today in an effort to appeal his conviction and sentence.
Romeo Cormier is representing himself today before the provincial Court of Appeal in Fredericton, arguing that he was not properly represented by his lawyers.
Mr. Cormier is also arguing that the trial judge gave the impression to the jury that he should not be believed.
Mr. Cormier was sentenced to 18 years in prison last August after he was convicted of abduction and sexual assault.
The woman — whose identity is protected by a publication ban — testified that Mr. Cormier grabbed her at knifepoint on the night of Feb. 26, 2010, outside the Moncton, N.B., shopping mall where she worked.
The victim, who was 55 at the time, told the court her life had been consumed by the crime because her attacker had no remorse.