Live Updates: Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich's trial enters day 10
The trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber continues on day 10 today in Ottawa. As two of the most prominent faces of the Freedom Convoy, Lich and co-accused Chris Barber are facing charges of mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to commit mischief, and intimidation. The Freedom Convoy demonstrations drew thousands of Canadians to Ottawa in early 2022 in opposition to COVID-19 restrictions.
Rebel News reporter Robert Kraychik is once again reporting from inside the Ottawa courthouse and will be providing live updates. Videographer Lincoln Jay is also on the scene to cover all of the reactions and commentary from outside the courthouse.
Tamara Lich/Chris Barber trial day 10; Next Crown witness is Kelly Ayotte; via Global: "[She] oversaw the city’s bylaw enforcement, fire and paramedic services during last year’s demonstration, as well as the department that oversees special events."https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 19, 2023
Tamara Lich's defence is questioning the admissibility of upcoming testimony from eight Ottawa residents. The defence claims these people do not have specific enough details of being negatively impacted by the protests.
Lich's attorney Lawrence Greenspon challenges the admissibility of incoming testimony from eight Ottawa residents, emphasizing that the Crown's intended witnesses lack specific details in their claims of being negatively affected by the Freedom Convoy.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 19, 2023
The judge has made it clear that she will not be accepting testimony lacking specific and essential details.
Greenspon says none of these tentative witnesses can identify specifics about their claims: "[They] can't specify time and place [of their claims of being harmed]."
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 19, 2023
Judge says she will not accept such testimony lacking specific and essential details.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
Robert Kraychik provided a quick update from outside the courthouse in Ottawa.
Update from @rkraychik on day 10 of the Tamara Lich and Chris Barber trial.
— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) September 19, 2023
Lawrence Greenspon, Tamara Lich's lawyer, says eight of the prosecution's desired witnesses shouldn't be allow to testify if they can't give specific details of their claims: who did it, where it took… pic.twitter.com/yD4y3rrQ61
Tamara Lich's lawyer Lawrence Greenspon spoke with Kraychik briefly about the trial.
Lawyer for Tamara Lich, Lawrence Greenspon speaks with @rkraychik.
— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) September 19, 2023
Greenspon explains the requirement for the prosecution to prove mischief was not committed in relation to the counselling others to commit mischief charges against both Lich and Barber. https://t.co/52zo5bkxKr pic.twitter.com/KQ677c185j
Lawrence Greenspon, Tamara Lich's lawyer, tells the judge that Kim Ayotte's lack of notes will render cross-examination impossible due to the detailed nature of his intended questions; without notes, Ayotte will be unable to precisely answer questions.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 19, 2023
The judge noted that much of the testimony Kim Ayotte may share about law enforcement's response to the Freedom Convoy may be inadmissible due to its hearsay/second-hand nature; he was receiving information/"intelligence" from colleagues and subordinates.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 19, 2023
Judge asks prosecution, "What is the relevance of [Kim Ayotte's testimony]?" after Greenspon emphasizes its second-hand origins. She notes that Ayotte's testimony is "very high-level general evidence" which may be irrelevant to the charges at hand.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 19, 2023
Watch a full recap of day nine of the trial below:
This page will be updated as proceedings continue.