Jeremy Ashley
Belleville Intelligencer
Thursday, August 30, 2007 - 10:00
Local News - The head of the province's police service was called to testify during the third day of a preliminary hearing into criminal charges against Mohawk protester Shawn Brant Wednesday.
OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino took the stand for about three hours at the County Memorial Building here to give evidence during the proceeding, which is being held to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
There is a publication ban on the evidence - including Fantino's testimony - given during the course of the preliminary inquiry.
Brant, the only person so far arrested in connection with two major protests this year, is charged with six counts of mischief exceeding $5,000, two counts of breaching his recognizance and one count of failing to obey a court order.
As the veteran police officer testified, Brant stared intently at his lawyer's desk and at one point wiped at his eyes.
The nine criminal counts he faces include charges of breaching conditions imposed after he was charged with uttering death treats from a Deseronto protest last November to leading a group of Mohawk protesters that obstructed the main CN rail line in April and for his role in apparently co-ordinating the blockade for the National Aboriginal Day of Action on June 29 which blocked a large section of County Road 2, two CN rail line crossings and led to the closure of part of Highway 401.
Fantino was in the Greater Napanee area during both the April and June incidents, and is believed to have taken part in or led negotiations that brought an end to the blockades on June 29.
Meanwhile, as in the two previous days of the hearing, police presence at the Dundas Street West courthouse was tight: visitors were searched, asked for identification and scanned with metal detectors before being allowed into the courtroom.
While three days were initially set aside for the proceeding, both Crown attorney Robert Morrison and defence lawyer Peter Rosenthal told presiding Justice Robert Fournier they expected the matter to require more time.
Initially, Fournier balked at the request. However, after meeting in chambers during a morning break with the two lawyers, Fournier agreed to extend the preliminary inquiry into Thursday morning.
When completed, Fournier may give his decision on whether the matter will proceed to trial immediately, or reconvene at a later date to issue his decision on the case.