Charges dropped in cop dragging
Lawyer says accused man wasn’t driving vehicle that injured OPP officer
The Crown has withdrawn all charges against a man accused of driving a vehicle that dragged a police officer during a traffic stop in Mississauga.
This week, a preliminary hearing was set to begin in the Brampton courthouse to deter- mine if there was enough evidence to send Ian Anthony Green to trial on charges relating to a Sept. 4, 2017, incident on Hurontario St. just south of Highway 403.
During a 9 a.m. traffic stop, a vehicle fled and dragged Ontario Provincial Police Const. Patrick Chatelain an extended distance. He was treated and released from hospital that day.
Within hours of the incident, Peel Regional Police arrested and charged Green with obstructing a peace officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm, criminal negligence causing bodily harm and failing to remain at the scene of an acci- dent causing bodily harm.
This week, the prosecution told the court that it would not be proceeding with the case and asked that all the charges against him be dropped.
“As in all cases, the Crown has a duty to assess the strength of a case throughout a prosecution and is duty-bound to withdraw charges if there is no reasonable prospect of conviction or if it is not in the public interest to proceed,” Ministry of the Attorney General spokesperson Brian Gray wrote in email.
“After careful consideration, it was determined that there was no reasonable prospect of conviction and the charges were withdrawn.”
Defence lawyer Luigi Perzia said Green is “obviously happy” with the result.
“There was a serious identity issue, and it was not Mr. Green driving that car,” Perzia said.
“Mr. Green is definitely not the offender here.”