Hearing moved for accused in hostage-taking

Appearance for bail moved for a second time, after man could not secure legal counsel

The accused in a dramatic hostagetaking at a massage parlour, Michael Storms, 35, appeared in court on Tuesday, where his bail hearing was moved a second time. Storms still doesn’t have a lawyer. The case began a week ago, when Storms — who alleges he’s been on a terrorism watch-list for over a decade, and was under constant RCMP and CSIS surveillance — entered an Eglinton West massage parlour, where he is accused of forcibly con- fining three women inside.

In a phone call from Storms to the Star’s newsroom during the incident, he said that he quickly let two of the women free, keeping the third for more than an hour.

Police arrested Storms within hours of the call, and charged him with three counts of forcible confinement and three counts of uttering threats.

After a tumultuous appearance in court last week, where his bail hearing was pushed due to a lack of legal counsel, Storms returned to court on Tuesday, where duty counsel requested he be brought into the holding box alone.

Storms emerged in a white padded garment, cut off where his sleeves would begin.

Duty counsel requested a moment to speak with him, resulting in rushed whispers through a small slit in the glass.

As duty counsel began to explain their discussion, Storms jumped in.

“I was given a list that I was told you can choose a lawyer from,” Storms told Judge Esther Daniel. But, he noted, he’s been unable to call legal representation himself without access to a phone line.

At his own request, Storms has been placed in segregation.

According to the Ministry of Correctional Services, all inmates — including those in segregation — have access to phone services and counsel.

“He was told the segregation ser- geant would make a call on his behalf,” the assigned duty counsel — who declined to provide his name to the Star — reported to the courtroom.

“He doesn’t think that has happened. He just wanted that put on the record.”

The rest of the courtroom discussion centred around how Storms would ensure he’s secured legal counsel by Tuesday.

“Can you assist him while he’s here, and make calls?” Daniel asked of duty counsel, who agreed and offered his aid to Storms. Daniel noted that, if there were specific lawyers Storms wanted them to call, they could.

“They said, at jail, they said that in segregation, I couldn’t make the call myself, but I could select a lawyer from the list,” Storms replied.

Daniel resolved to adjourn the case for one more week, marking Storms’ case for medical attention.

Though the Ministry wouldn’t provide comment on what specific medical or mental-health attention Storms is receiving, they wrote in an email that “all inmates have access to a variety of services and supports including health care, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers.” Before Storms was led away, Daniel aired a final worry. “I do have some concerns at this point in time,” she said. “We may very well be in this same situation in a week.”

Storms’ next appearance is slated for July 11.