Dear readers,
I’m preparing a short article on the upcoming challenge by the Hamilton Spectator to the secret court proceedings taking place with regard to the Tim Bosma trial.
The court inexplicably went in camera on February 23rd and two more in camera sessions are slated for April 30 and May 1.
The Spectator‘s challenge is scheduled to take place on April 7. If it succeeds, the court dates — which appear to be pre-trial motions — should go ahead covered by a standard publication ban.
I’ve had a number of lawyers, who know I follow the Tim Bosma case, ask me if I have any idea what’s going on there. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are gobsmacked by the situation, which everyone describes as highly unusual.
I may also stop by the Jane and Finch courthouse again to see the continuation of Matthew Ward-Jackson’s preliminary hearing for his January 2014 drugs and weapons charges. In January of this year, Joseph Michael Horth pleaded guilty and is now awaiting a Gladue report and a sentencing date. Ward-Jackson aka Big Iisho aka Krucifix14 intends to plead not guilty and has chosen a jury trial.
Charges against the five other people accused in the same raid were all dropped last year. The seven were arrested while partying with Ward-Jackson and helping to put the finishing touches on his Red Shoes rap video. The lawyer for the videographer said last summer that his client is not planning on making any more rap videos. It’s all Sweet Sixteens and weddings from now on. Probably a smart move.