Crown unable to meet with charged counter-protester
The counter-protester arrested at a downtown rally in September will return to court later this month for another attempt to have an issue resolution meeting with a prosecutor after making a brief appearance in Peterborough Ontario Court of Justice early Wednesday afternoon.
William October, of Richmond St. W. in Toronto, – who identifies as “they” – is charged with assault and obstructing police.
Duty counsel lawyer Lynn Marie Landry spoke on behalf of October, who brought medical records to court in anticipation of the meeting. A duty Crown was not available, however, so Landry said they were unable to move the case forward. October, who court heard has applied for legal aid, was accompanied in court Wednesday by their parents, Landry pointed out.
Justice of the Peace Jason Mariasine then endorsed a request to adjourn the case until Dec. 28 for another attempt at an issue resolution meeting.
Duty counsel, lawyers who provide basic services to those without a lawyer, must be present for an issue resolution meeting when someone is self-represented.
October, 22, was among the crowd of nearly 1,000 people who attended a Sept. 30 rally in Confederation Square.
It was planned as a counter-protest against the Canadian Nationalist Front (CNF), an organization planning to hold an anti-immigration event that didn’t actually show up.
The peaceful protest intended to be a display of solidarity turned ugly, however, after a man wearing a Nazi T-shirt arrived.
October will return to court Dec. 28 at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 2.
- with files from Jessica Nyznik jabain@postmedia.com