Man accused of vulgar slur against reporter going to restorative justice
A Halifax man accused of hurling a vulgar slur at a female reporter during a live broadcast has been referred to Nova Scotia’s restorative justice process.
Nash John Gracie, 25, was charged with public mischief and causing a disturbance at a Halifax bar as CTV reporter Heather Butts reported on the world junior hockey championship on Dec. 29.
A video recording shows a man approaching Butts and calling out the same sexually explicit phrase that has been yelled at other female reporters across the country. Butts turned around and continued with her broadcast. She was speaking from the Pint Public House, as fans watched the championship game.
Joel Pink, Gracie’s lawyer, said in an interview Monday that his client has requested the process, and the Crown accepted the proposal.
“We recommended it to the client. If he completes the restorative justice the charges will be withdrawn,” said Pink in a telephone interview.
Pink said his client will meet with Correctional Services, which oversees the restorative justice process, and details will be worked out from there.
Restorative justice can include the accused meeting with the victim to discuss the incident, but Butts and CTV declined to comment on the process and what it may involve. The provincial website says restorative justice is “a response to crime that focuses on restoring the losses suffered by victims and communities.”
After an agreement is reached, outlining what the offender can do to make amends, these steps must be taken before the judge will drop the criminal charges.