Is it a defence to Obstruction of Justice that you were trying to make a witness tell the truth?
No, any of attempt to use threats, bribes or other corrupt means to change a witness’ testimony or dissuade them from testifying can give rise to an Obstruction of Justice charge. It is not a defence to say that the accused was only trying to get a witness to testify to what the accused honestly believed was the truth (See e.g. R v Pare, 2010 ONCA 563).
