The Hon. David Humphrey

This comprehensive oral history chronicles Justice David Humphrey’s remarkable journey from American immigrant child to one of Canada’s most prominent criminal lawyers. Born in New Jersey in 1925 and arriving in Canada in 1936, Humphrey served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, attended Yale University, and graduated from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1950. After four years as an Assistant Crown Attorney in Toronto, he established a successful criminal defence practice that spanned over three decades, handling many of Canada’s most high-profile cases including the Fitton murder trial, the Volpe extortion case, and the McNamara dredging conspiracy.

The interview reveals fascinating details about Toronto’s legal community from the 1950s through 1980s, including extensive discussions of legendary advocates such as G. Arthur Martin, Arthur Maloney, and Charles Dubin. Humphrey’s practice was marked by several controversial incidents, notably the Roach Inquiry in the early 1960s regarding his relationship with gambling clients McDermott and Feeley, and the famous “Bloody Shirt” case involving the ethical obligations of defence counsel when clients provide incriminating physical evidence.

Appointed to the County Court of York in 1985, Humphrey served as a judge for fifteen years, developing a reputation for efficient case management and brief, comprehensible jury charges. His judicial philosophy emphasized practical decision-making and straightforward communication with juries, often completing murder trials in a week when others took much longer. The interview provides invaluable insights into the evolution of Canadian criminal law practice, courtroom advocacy, and judicial administration during a transformative period in the nation’s legal history.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.