Justice of the Peace Paul Harris announced his decision in an Ontario courtroom in Ottawa Friday afternoon, with Lich in attendance. Her detention is necessary “to maintain confidence in the administration of justice,” Harris said. He added that it was “absolutely ridiculous” for her defense to argue that the presence of lawyers at the awards gala somehow circumvented the bail condition. In the gallery, one began to cry while another stormed out of the courtroom. The Lich’s next appearance is scheduled for July 14 via video. Lich has been in jail since she was taken into custody in Medicine Hat, Alta., on June 27 after Ottawa police issued a Canada-wide warrant for her arrest. He faces charges of disorderly conduct, disorderly conduct, obstructing police, counseling intimidation and intimidation by blocking and obstructing one or more highways in connection with the protest that shut down parts of Ottawa for about three weeks last winter. Supporters holding Canadian flags chanted “Free Tamara” outside the courthouse after the verdict. Supporters call for “free Tamara” outside the court. pic.twitter.com/2QYgr2NayI —@DanTaekema Speaking to reporters outside court, defense lawyer Lawrence Greenspon said he was “extremely disappointed” by the decision and that the defense will seek a bail review in the Ontario Superior Court “as soon as possible.” He said Lich was “understandably disappointed with the outcome and wanted to regain her freedom as soon as possible”. Defense attorney Lawrence Greenspon made a brief appearance outside. Here’s the whole thing. He says he is “extremely disappointed” and has been instructed to carry out a warranty check as soon as possible. He says the Lich is “understandably disappointed.” pic.twitter.com/jpc5fiY8K4 —@DanTaekema
The 4th bail hearing was held earlier this week
Lich made a formal appearance in an Ottawa courtroom Tuesday for her fourth bail hearing since she was first arrested in February. Crown prosecutor Moiz Karimjee said the photo and video showing Lich at an awards gala in Toronto, posing with fellow entourage organizer Tom Marazzo and talking briefly, amounted to a “flagrant” violation of her conditions. He argued that Lich should be remanded in custody, adding that the judge who released her on bail had given her a “gift… a kick in the mouth”. But Greenspon said Leach’s actions were “minimal at worst” and did not constitute a violation, so she should be released on parole. He argued the fact that “all they have” is a photo and a video is proof the conditions are working, saying the court needs to answer a simple question — should Leach be detained for what she did in Toronto?
The wording of the term parole was analyzed
One of Lich’s bail conditions states that she cannot contact or communicate in any way, physical, electronic or any other means, with a list of people associated with the entourage — including Marazzo — except through counsel or presence of a lawyer. That wording was elaborated on during the hearing earlier this week, with Greenspan saying it refers to communication, not physical contact. He also asked Det. Chris Benson, lead investigator on the case, if he could identify the lawyers with the Justice Center for Constitutional Freedoms (JCCF), which held the award ceremony on June 16. Benson said he could not, adding that he was not aware that any of Leach’s attorneys were in the video or the photo taken that night. But the detective told the court he believed Lich’s actions constituted a breach. “He’s sitting at a table with Mr. Marazzo at a social event, a gala. This is not a law office, this is not a boardroom,” Benson said. “He was then photographed later that evening with Mr. Marazzo, hand in hand.”
