Rapper looks at options after assault in courthouse
The lawyer for a man assaulted after being placed in a courthouse holding cell with an accused serial killer says his client was let down by the people who were supposed to keep the pair apart.
“The police, who I understand are responsible for people in custody, have the highest responsibility to ensure their safety and it appears this was abdicated,” defence lawyer James Miglin said Thursday.
Miglin declined to discuss what took place but said his client, Kevin Williams, 32, sustained injuries to his face.
“Mr. Williams is considering all his legal options arising out of this inexcusable incident, including civil action.”
Toronto police spokesman Mark Pugash has said police are looking at the entire chain of events, relating to the bullpen incident, “including the dealings we’ve had with other agencies.”
On Tuesday, Williams was scheduled to appear in court with Mark Moore to set a date for trial in connection with the Aug. 9, 2010, violent robbery of a jewelry store in Leaside. Instead, Williams was taken to hospital in an ambulance. The court had previously ordered Williams and Moore, 29, not to have any contact with each other.
Moore is charged with the first-degree murder of four men in the city from September to November 2010. Police have said three of them were unknown to the accused.
Williams was also supposed to be in another court Tuesday where he has been on trial for allegedly possessing a loaded firearm. His absence Tuesday forced Justice Michael Code to cancel his final legal instructions to jurors. Williams was well enough to attend court Wednesday when Code finished his charge.
On Thursday, around 1 p.m., the jury acquitted Williams.
“Mr. Williams has always maintained that he is innocent of these charges. The jury has vindicated him and he is very pleased with the result,” Miglin said.
He remains in custody on the outstanding robbery charges.
There would have been more people than just Williams and Moore in the holding cell at the time, a source said.
Williams performs and records as rap artist Mayhem Morearty.