Arguments Over Evidence Puts Duffy Trial On Pause Until Next Week

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 29 Apr, 2015 11:23 AM

OTTAWA — Mike Duffy's trial has been put on pause while lawyers argue over the admissibility of a Senate report.

Justice Charles Vaillancourt will hear arguments Monday in what is called a voir dire, basically a mini-trial within the main trial.

Donald Bayne, the suspended senator's lawyer, wants to treat a 2010 Senate committee report as fact during the course of the trial.

The report was based on an audit of senators' office expenditures and service contracts.

The Crown does not want the report treated as fact, but rather as opinion — an important distinction when the judge later reviews all the evidence laid out in the trial.

The unplanned break further delays the fraud, breach of trust and bribery trial, which is already expected to exceed its 41-day schedule by weeks.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

We're not the company that 'only hires white men', says firm receiving hate mail

An Ottawa-area business says it's getting abusive emails from people who think it's the same company that Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal ruled discriminated against a foreign-born job applicant by telling him it "only hires white men.''

We're not the company that 'only hires white men', says firm receiving hate mail

Striking Teachers Get A Helping Hand From B.C.'s Labour Movement

Labour leaders in British Columbia are expected to announce later today financial aid for the province's striking teachers, who will themselves take a vote on binding arbitration.

Striking Teachers Get A Helping Hand From B.C.'s Labour Movement

Survey findings on youth smoking points to need for flavoured tobacco ban

The Canadian Cancer Society says a new national survey points to the need to ban flavoured tobacco products.

Survey findings on youth smoking points to need for flavoured tobacco ban

Media groups warn of job losses, less Canadian content, under CRTC proposals

A media marketing company warns that changes proposed by Canada's broadcast regulator will result in significant job losses.

Media groups warn of job losses, less Canadian content, under CRTC proposals

RCMP: Police Became Security Guards At Music Festival, Requiring More Cops, Cost

Mounties are criticizing the organizers of a summer music festival near Penticton, B.C., saying police were forced to step in as security guards for a company that failed to do its job.