Live Updates: Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich's trial enters day five
Lich is facing charges of mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to commit mischief, and intimidation in relation to her role as an organizer of the anti-mandate demonstrations.
The trial of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber — two of the most well-known faces of the Freedom Convoy — continues on day five today in Ottawa. The Freedom Convoy demonstrations drew thousands of Canadians to Ottawa in early 2022 in opposition to COVID-19 restrictions.
Tamara Lich and Chris Barber enter the Ottawa Courthouse for day 5 of trial. Both are facing multiple charges in relation to the Freedom Convoy.
— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) September 11, 2023
More at https://t.co/52zo5bkxKr pic.twitter.com/Hw6Dt9Luo7
Rebel News reporter Robert Kraychik is reporting from the courthouse and will be providing live updates.
Day 5 of the Tamara Lich/Chris Barber trial underway; may get some exclusive remarks at day's end from one of the defense counsels. Also expecting a resolution to the dispute over the Crown's proposed refinement to its evidentiary submissions on Friday.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 11, 2023
Tamara Lich's defence counsel is claiming that certain upcoming testimony from Crown witnesses should be prevented due to admissions made by the defence.
Defense counsel for Tamara Lich argues that pending testimony from some scheduled witnesses (residents of Ottawa, business owners, and OC Transpo employees) for the Crown should be gotten rid of ("obviated") due to certain admissions made my the defense.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 11, 2023
However, the Crown claims that these witnesses will substantiate its claim that the protests were "anything but peaceful."
Crown argues that these witnesses will substantiate its claim that the Freedom Convoy "was not peaceful" and prevented certain persons from exercising/enjoying their property in a lawful way. #TamaraTrial
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 11, 2023
The judge concedes that the Freedom Convoy cannot be viewed as a singular event, and "a lot of people had different purposes for being there."
Judge says it is difficult/impossible to view the entire Freedom Convoy as a "singular"/"monolith[ic]" event, challenging the Crown's attempt to isolate instances/moments.
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 11, 2023
"Sounds like a lot of different people had different purposes for being there."https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
The judge acknowledges that an OPS officer — the prosecution's witness — admitted that "no violence" was shown during the Crown's own video montage except for an officer punching a protester.
Judge again notes that one of the prosecution's witnesses, an OPS officer, testified that "no violence" was shown in the Crown's own 11-ish-minute video montage EXCEPT for an instance of a cop punching a demonstrator.https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 11, 2023
The judge says that if the protest is shown to be peaceful, it would "amount to the absence of an aggravating factor" to the mischief charges.
Judge says whether or not the Freedom Convoy "was peaceful or not" does't affect the charge of mischief, but if the protest is shown/proven to have been peaceful, it would amount to "the absence of an aggravating factor".https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 11, 2023
The trial is now on break until 2pm EST.
Lich's lawyer says witness testimony is only admissable if it relates to a matter/charge "requiring to be proved" and goes beyond the defense's "admissions". Court now on break until 2:00 PM ET. https://t.co/TWDiMnjMOA
— Robert Kraychik (@rkraychik) September 11, 2023
Rebel News reporter Robert Kraychik provided a couple quick updates outside the courthouse in Ottawa.
Update from @rkraychik on day 5 of the Tamara Lich and Chris Barber trial. https://t.co/52zo5bkxKr pic.twitter.com/aTvghav4UH
— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) September 11, 2023
Another quick update from @rkraychik outside of the Ottawa Courthouse. Day 5 of the Tamara Lich and Chris Barber trial is underway. https://t.co/52zo5bkxKr pic.twitter.com/qw3FjeMr8N
— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) September 11, 2023
A supporter of Lich and co-accused Chris Barber spoke about the trial outside the courthouse.
Tamara Lich and Chris Barber supporter speaks outside of the Ottawa Courthouse.
— Lincoln Jay (@lincolnmjay) September 11, 2023
“I didn’t see any violence, other than seeing it from police”. https://t.co/52zo5bkxKr pic.twitter.com/YO66p58OS3
Watch a full recap of day four of the trial below:
This page will be updated as proceedings continue.
- By Ezra Levant
Support Tamara's Legal Defense
The Democracy Fund, a Canadian charity, is supporting Tamara Lich by crowdfunding her legal bills. The cost of expert legal representation is $300,000, which Tamara, an ordinary mom and grandma from Medicine Hat, Alberta, cannot afford. But we have a secret weapon: Lawrence Greenspon, one of Ottawa's top lawyers, is on Tamara's side. Lawrence is accustomed to handling complex and serious cases, but his team is expensive — and they are worth every penny. If you can, please chip in to help cover Tamara's legal fees.
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