National

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.

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