The Toronto Star: Criminal case against former attorney general moves ahead April 14
With disclosure complete, defence for Michael Bryant expects to elect mode of trial on April 14
Published On Fri Mar 05 2010
Dale Anne Freed
Staff Reporter
Will he elect to be tried by judge alone or jury? That’s the decision former attorney general Michael Bryant and his lawyer are expected to announce when his criminal case resumes April 14 .
Bryant, 43, is charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death in connection with the August 30 death of bike courier Darcy Allan Sheppard, 33.
Defence lawyer Marie Henein now has the police reconstructionist report, the last significant item of disclosure, Mark Sandler, who appeared for the Crown, told the Old City Hall court before Justice Paul Bentley on Friday.
Bryant did not appear in court during the brief hearing.
Outside court, Sandler explained that the court “doesn’t call upon defence to make election (on how the defendant want to be tried) until they have full disclosure.”
The defence has three trial options, Sandler explained: “They can proceed before the Ontario Court of Justice, which is a judge alone case or they can elect to be tried in the higher court with a Superior Court judge alone or with a Superior Court judge and a jury.”
