Douglas Thompson

The BC Prosecution Service says it's dropping 146 cases against old-growth logging protesters after Canada's highest court refused to hear an appeal against the acquittal of a demonstrator who had been cleared of criminal contempt.

A judge hearing a request to stay proceedings against people arrested at old-growth logging protests on Vancouver Island says the application has a reasonable prospect of success, but he wants another judge to consider it with "fresh eyes."

Lawyers for several people arrested for breaching an injunction during protests over old-growth logging in British Columbia argued Wednesday that the charges against their clients and others should be stayed due to "systemic police misconduct."