Brazeau tweets pledge to fight charges, vows to return
Senator did not appear in court as lawyers sought more evidence
GATINEAU, Que . — Sen. Patrick Brazeau wasn’t in court Friday morning when his lawyers asked for additional evidence about the assault and sexual assault charges against him, but he tweeted his innocence Friday afternoon.
“I will fight these charges against me to prove my innocence. I shall return!” said a tweet from the 38-year-old’s Twitter account.
It was Brazeau’s first direct public comment on the charges he’s facing, which stem from a Feb. 7 incident as his Gatineau, Que., home. He has pleaded not guilty.
It came hours after his lawyer, Michel Swanston, said Brazeau’s legal team doesn’t intend to try the case in the news media.
“We have no intention of arguing this case in the media, and are appalled by the fact that a version of facts is already circulating, and that before the trial has commenced,” Swanston said in a statement to reporters at the Gatineau courthouse.
Swanston and Gerard Larocque represented Brazeau in court Friday, asking for additional disclosure in the case’s evidence file.
Because of the requests, the criminal charges against Brazeau will next be dealt with in court on June 10.
The Crown suggested his legal team is using delay tactics in the case.
The request for additional disclosure is not out of the ordinary, but Crown attorney Sylvain Petitclerc said the evidence dossier provided by the prosecution on Feb. 12 was “100 per cent” complete.
“I don’t see what’s missing in that file,” he told reporters.
“They have not even told me what they are asking for. They will think about it and they will send me a letter in a few days.”
Asked if he thought Brazeau’s lawyers were trying to buy time, Petitclerc said, “It’s a possibility.”
Swanston said Brazeau’s legal team intends to “vigorously” contest the allegations. Swanston did not say what additional information Brazeau’s defence team is seeking, and didn’t take questions.
He said Brazeau is “weathering the storm with his family, and would appreciate that we respect his privacy during this instance.
“He is adamant to return to his functions after this situation has passed to represent the interests of Canadian citizens before the Canadian Senate.”
According to court documents, the alleged victim told police on Feb. 7 that Brazeau spat and swore at her, hit her and pushed her, after an argument about aboriginal issues. The complainant, who cannot be named, also told police Brazeau pulled on her pants — breaking the zipper and button — grabbed her breast, and put his hand around her neck. None of the allegations has been proven in court.
Hours after Brazeau’s arrest, Prime Minister Stephen Harper expelled him from the Conservative caucus.
The following week, the Senate put him on a forced leave of absence — meaning he still collects his salary but needs to seek approval for additional expenses.
On Feb. 21, Brazeau sent out a tweet indirectly referencing the situation: “I’m wounded not, but I’m not slain. I’m brusied (sic) and faint they say Just let me lie and bleed awhile; I’ll not be long this way.”