Freedom Convoy leader Tamara Leach’s bail has been revoked for breaching her release conditions when she attended an awards gala in Toronto and had contact with another convoy organizer.
Justice of the Peace Paul Harris announced his decision in an Ontario Court of Justice courtroom in Ottawa Friday afternoon, with Leach present in person.
Her detention is necessary “to maintain confidence in the administration of justice,” Harris said.
He added that it was “absolutely ridiculous” for her defense to claim that the presence of lawyers at the awards gala somehow circumvented the bail condition.
In the gallery, someone began to cry, and another ran out of the courtroom.
The Lich’s next appearance is scheduled for July 14 via video.
Leach has been in jail since she was taken into custody in Medicine Hat, Alta., on June 27 after Ottawa police issued a warrant for her arrest in Canada.
She faces charges of mischief, counseling mischief, obstructing police, counseling to obstruct police, counseling to intimidate and intimidation by blocking and obstructing one or more highways in connection with the protest, which shut down parts of Ottawa for about three weeks last winter.
Supporters holding Canadian flags chanted “Free Tamara” outside the courthouse after the ruling.
Supporters chanting “free Tamara” outside the courthouse. pic.twitter.com/2QYgr2NayI
—@DanTaekema
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, defense lawyer Lawrence Greenspon said he was “extremely disappointed” by the decision and that the defense would seek a bail review in the Ontario Superior Court “as soon as possible.”
He said Leach was “understandably disappointed with the outcome and wants to regain her freedom as soon as possible”.
Defense attorney Lawrence Greenspon appeared briefly outside. That’s it.
He says he is “extremely disappointed” and has been instructed to carry out a warranty review as soon as possible.
He says Leach is “understandably disappointed.” pic.twitter.com/jpc5fiY8K4
—@DanTaekema
4th bail hearing held earlier this week
Leach appeared literally in an Ottawa courtroom Tuesday for her fourth bail hearing since she was first arrested in February.
Crown prosecutor Moise Karimji said a photo and video showing Leach at an awards gala in Toronto, posing with and briefly talking to fellow convoy organizer Tom Marrazzo, constituted a “clear” breach of her conditions.
He argued that Leach should be remanded in custody, adding that the judge who granted her bail had given her “a gift … she kicks in the mouth.”
But Greenspon said Leach’s actions were “minimalist at worst” and did not constitute a violation, so she should be released again with conditions.
He argued the fact that “all they have” is a photo and a video is evidence that the conditions are working, saying the court needs to answer a simple question – should Leach be held for what she did in Toronto?
The text of the bail condition is fragmented
One of Leach’s bail conditions states that she cannot contact or communicate in any way, by physical, electronic or other means, with a list of people connected to the convoy – including Marazzo – except through an attorney or in the presence of a lawyer.
That wording was dissected during the hearing earlier this week, with Greenspoon saying it refers to communication, not physical contact.
He also asked Det. Chris Benson, the lead investigator on the case, if he could identify attorneys from the Justice Center for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), which held the awards ceremony on June 16.
Benson said he could not, adding that he was unaware of any of Leach’s attorneys being present at the video or photo taken that night.
But the detective told the court he believed Leach’s actions constituted an offence.
“She is sitting at a table with Mr. Marrazzo at a social event, a gala. This is not a law office, this is not a boardroom,” Benson said. “She was photographed later that evening with Mr Marazzo, hand in hand.”
Add Comment