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Final submissions are set to conclude Friday in the trial of accused convoy leaders Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, with closing arguments expected from Lich’s defence lawyer Lawrence Greenspon.
August 23 is the last scheduled day of the long-running and high-profile criminal trial, though the court has scheduled backup dates in September in case today’s hearing goes long.
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The trial commenced Sept. 5, 2023 and extended far beyond the initial estimates as the proceedings were beset with lengthy delays and court challenges. Crown attorneys Tim Radcliffe and Siobhain Wetscher called evidence from 16 Crown witnesses across 27 trial days and the Crown made its final submissions last week.
The trial was initially set for 16 days.
Barber’s lawyer, Diane Magas, completed final submissions on behalf of her client on Monday.
Lich’s defence team of Greenspon and Eric Granger commenced their final submissions on Tuesday.
Granger argued against a Crown motion alleging Lich and Barber acted together in a “conspiracy or common unlawful design” to gridlock downtown streets during the three-week convoy demonstration, and that evidence against one accused organizer should apply to both.
After hearing final submissions from Greenspon, the Crown will have an opportunity for a reply.
Ontario Court Justice Heather Perkins-McVey is then expected to reserve her decision on a verdict for a later date.
Follow along for updates.
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