OttawaDisgraced and suspended criminal defence lawyer James Bowie must stay in jail pending an appeal of his convictions for uttering death threats, extortion and criminal harassment, Ontario’s highest court has ruled.Decision made for public safety and maintaining public confidence in the justice system: Court of Appeal judgeKristy Nease · CBC News · Posted: Sep 22, 2025 10:47 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoSuspended Ottawa lawyer James Bowie enters the Ottawa Courthouse on March 18, where he was found guilty of extortion, uttering death threats and criminal harassment. He has now been denied bail pending an appeal of his convictions. (CBC)Disgraced and suspended criminal defence lawyer James Bowie must stay in jail pending an appeal of his conviction, Ontario’s highest court has ruled.Bowie received four years’ imprisonment on Sept. 2 for twice threatening to kill his former client, as well as criminally harassing and extorting his friend in a “desperate” and “unhinged” plot to clear his name.The crimes happened after Bowie’s former client, Leanne Aubin, went public with allegations that he had tried to extort her for sex in exchange for his legal services. That charge of extortion was dropped during his trial.In a notice of appeal filed Aug. 25, Bowie’s lawyer Matthew Wolfson wrote that Bowie is appealing his convictions. He’s arguing that the judge improperly relied on Aubin’s evidence about Bowie’s prior discreditable conduct that was more prejudicial than probative, and that the judge allowed bias or the appearance of bias to affect his decision about Bowie’s guilt, citing the judge’s alleged “eagerness to revoke” Bowie’s bail. Other arguments may come up later.Bowie wants the convictions set aside and a new trial ordered, and he applied to be released on bail pending the appeal. It was unclear Monday if Bowie intends to appeal his sentence or not.Ottawa police issued a news release on April 24, 2023, announcing the charges against Bowie and saying that there could be other victims. The force attached this photo, and said Bowie could have used aliases. (Ottawa Police Service)Public safety the main issue, judge rulesOntario Court of Appeal Justice Gary Trotter denied Bowie’s bail application primarily in the interest of public safety, but also to maintain public confidence in the justice system, according to a decision released Friday.Trotter believes Bowie would adhere to bail conditions and surrender himself back into custody if required, as Bowie demonstrated for more than two years while he was on bail ahead of and during his trial. But he’s not convinced that Bowie is addressing his mental health or substance abuse issues, and he noted that both victims in the trial are seriously afraid of Bowie, who is “ultimately claiming to be the victim in this entire affair.””I dismiss the application on the public safety arm alone,” Trotter wrote.The judge added that public confidence considerations are also at play, and called the grounds of Bowie’s appeal “weak.”In these messages photographed by Leanne Aubin of her Snapchat correspondence with Bowie, he writes: ‘If a thousand dollars would change your life, that’s something we can do,’ and later, ‘You’re crushed for money.’ (Ontario Court of Justice)’Overwhelming’ case against Bowie”The main ground of appeal — the misuse of Ms. Aubin’s evidence by the trial judge — is unlikely to succeed,” Trotter wrote. “Having accepted the evidence of Ms. Aubin and [Bowie’s former friend] for the proper purpose, the case against the appellant was overwhelming.”All that the appellant could offer in response was a conspiratorial narrative, with grandiose features, that was devoid of reality, disavowed by his own trial counsel, and ultimately rejected by the trial judge.”Bowie’s crimes “were very grave and committed in very aggravating circumstances,” Trotter continued.”The appellant was a lawyer. He victimized two vulnerable people who came to him for help, not to be manipulated or abused.”In these circumstances, especially in light of the weak ground of appeal in an overwhelming case, public confidence in the administration of justice would be undermined by the appellant’s release pending the appeal.”ABOUT THE AUTHORCBC Ottawa senior writer Kristy Nease has covered news in the capital for 16 years, and previously worked at the Ottawa Citizen. She has handled topics including intimate partner violence, climate and health care, and is currently focused on the courts and judicial affairs for all platforms. Get in touch: kristy.nease@cbc.ca, or 613-288-6435.Selected stories.Follow her on Twitter.
Disgraced lawyer James Bowie denied bail pending appeal of his convictions
