Defense lawyers choose not to present evidence.
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Diane Magas, left, lawyer for Chris Barber, center, walks with Lawrence Greenspon, lawyer for Tamara Lich, toward the courthouse in Ottawa, September 19, 2023. (File photo)
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Final arguments are expected to be heard in August at the trial of the two organizers of the truckers' convoy that paralyzed downtown Ottawa two years ago.
Tamara Lich and Chris Barber are charged with mischief, intimidation and offenses relating to advising others to commit misdeeds during the protest which lasted more than three weeks in early 2022.
The trial began in September and proceedings were delayed along the way. Lawyers for Tamara Lich and Chris Barber announced this week that they would not present their own evidence.
We have reviewed the evidence presented by the Crown, all of whom were cross-examined, Lich's lawyer, Lawrence Greenspon, said outside court Friday.
< p class="StyledBodyHtmlParagraph-sc-48221190-4 hnvfyV">We are of the opinion that there is nothing to add or that should be added by the defense to the body of evidence presented by the Crown, he added. /p>Loading
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Final arguments are scheduled to be heard August 13-15.
Crown prosecutors Tim Radcliffe and Siobhain Wetscher said the case was not about Tamara Lich and Chris Barber's political beliefs, but rather how they crossed the line in committing the acts of which they are accused.
The Crown relied on testimony from police officers and residents, hours of video recordings, text messages and content from social media to conclude that the two accused exercised control and an influence during the demonstration.
Truck convoy organizers Tamara Lich (left) and Chris Barber speak at the State of Emergency Commission, on November 1, 2022, in Ottawa. (File photo)
Defense attorneys argued throughout the trial that their two clients worked with police and city officials and that they had remained peaceful during their stay in Ottawa.
We look forward to presenting our final conclusions to the judge based on this evidence, said defense attorney Lawrence Greenspon.
< p class="StyledBodyHtmlParagraph-sc-48221190-4 hnvfyV">Most of the hearings over the past week have focused on how specific pieces of evidence will be considered by the judge when making his decision.
Lawyers for Tamara Lich and Chris Barber accused the Crown of cherry-picking evidence, while prosecutors accused the defense of doing the same.
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Tamara Lich and Chris Barber came to Ottawa from western Canada to attend their trial in person. They were arrested on February 17, 2022, a day before police began clearing downtown streets of people protesting COVID-19 health measures.
Originally from Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Chris Barber was released one day after entering custody in 2022.
Tamara Lich, who is originally from Medicine Hat, Alberta, spent 49 days in prison on two separate stints. The first followed his initial arrest, while the second occurred after his arrest on a Canada-wide warrant for violations of his bail conditions.
The trial was slowed by legal wrangling, technical delays, unprepared witnesses and questions about how police evidence was disclosed.
The judge will have six months to make a decision once oral arguments are completed. A conviction for mischief carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
With information from CBC News