Bill Dunphy is well known to readers of Hamilton Ontario’s newspaper The Spectator.
In 2001 and 2002 he interviewed convicted drug dealer Paul Gravelle. Gravelle’s younger brother is accused of participating in the 1998 murder of lawyer Lynn Gilbank and her husband Fred.
Under a provision introduced into the criminal code on in September 2004, a journalist can be forced to hand over notes, documents or audio or video recordings that could be useful to a police investigation. Refusal to comply is punishable by a fine of up to 250,000 dollars or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. The Hamilton Spectator thinks this is the first time the provision has been used. Dunphy appeared in court on 19 January. The judge is to issue a ruling on 6 February.
