The Canadian Press Published on Tuesday, May. 25, 2010 10:06AM EDT Last updated on Tuesday, May. 25, 2010 10:30AM EDT
Globe and Mail
The Crown has withdrawn charges against former Ontario attorney-general Michael Bryant in the death of a cyclist.
Mr. Bryant was charged last August with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving in the death of bike courier Darcy Allan Sheppard.
Police alleged Mr. Sheppard, 33, died after grabbing onto a car in downtown Toronto following an altercation with the driver.
Mr. Sheppard death's led to an outcry from the city's cycling community and raised questions about whether or not Mr. Bryant had received preferential treatment.
To avoid a conflict of interest, Vancouver lawyer Richard Peck was brought in as a special prosecutor in the case.
Mr. Peck withdrew the charges today, saying there's no reasonable prospect for conviction.
Police have said the Aug. 31 incident began with a minor collision between Mr. Bryant and Mr. Sheppard on a busy downtown street which resulted in Mr. Sheppard grabbing onto the side of a car.
Mr. Sheppard then fell under the vehicle, suffering fatal injuries.
Criminal negligence causing death carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, while dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death carries a maximum 14-year term.
Mr. Bryant was once considered a top contender to succeed Premier Dalton McGuinty.
The Harvard-educated lawyer, who served as Ontario's youngest attorney-general, announced his departure from politics in May 2009 to take the high-profile job at Invest Toronto.
Mr. Bryant stepped down from that job just days after he was charged, and in a letter announcing his resignation declared his innocence.
During his 10 years at the provincial legislature, the father of two also served as minister of aboriginal affairs and minister of economic development.
More to come...