Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich has once again been ordered released from jail, after the Ontario Superior Court found errors in the decision to revoke her bail two weeks ago..Ontario Superior Court Justice Andrew Goodman ruled Tuesday that the earlier order on July 8 for Lich’s detainment was “inappropriate.”.Goodman said Justice of the Peace Paul Harris had made “erroneous” conclusions and “misapprehended” the evidence against Lich when deciding she broke her bail conditions.Goodman said Lich had been in strict compliance with the terms of her bail conditions, except for meeting with fellow Freedom Convoy organizer Tom Marazzo at Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms awards gala.Lich, who was arrested on February 17 by Ottawa Police Service, was granted bail on March 7. Lich was re-arrested on June 27 for breaking the conditions of her bail by meeting with Marazzo at an awards gala in Toronto.On July 8, Justice of the Peace Paul Harris told Lich, "your detention is necessary to maintain confidence in the administration of justice."On Monday, Lich's lawyer Lawrence Greenspon said the interaction between Lich and Marazzo was “nothing more than a handshake” and a group photo. Crown prosecutor Moiz Karimjee argued Lich was a "decision maker" in the strategy to "gridlock" the city of Ottawa.Goodman said Harris had a "bold assertion" that Lich endangered the public, and that the freedom protests still going on in Ottawa should be attributed to her. He said Harris also should have "grappled with" the circumstances of Lich being a non-violent, first-time offender.While Karimjee had suggested Lich could be given a 10-year sentence for mischief and obstruction, to which Harris agreed, Goodman said Lich's charges were minor."I find it highly unlikely this 49 year old accused… would face a lengthy term," he said.Goodman warned Lich to abide by the conditions of her bail, adding he does not expect her to be released a third time if her bail once again comes into question.Lich faces charges of mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to commit mischief and intimidation. She is scheduled to appear in court again on July 28.A dozen of Lich’s supporters were gathered by a white pickup truck parked by the Ottawa Courthouse. .Lich spent a total of 48 days in custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre since her initial arrest.
Freedom Convoy organizer Tamara Lich has once again been ordered released from jail, after the Ontario Superior Court found errors in the decision to revoke her bail two weeks ago..Ontario Superior Court Justice Andrew Goodman ruled Tuesday that the earlier order on July 8 for Lich’s detainment was “inappropriate.”.Goodman said Justice of the Peace Paul Harris had made “erroneous” conclusions and “misapprehended” the evidence against Lich when deciding she broke her bail conditions.Goodman said Lich had been in strict compliance with the terms of her bail conditions, except for meeting with fellow Freedom Convoy organizer Tom Marazzo at Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms awards gala.Lich, who was arrested on February 17 by Ottawa Police Service, was granted bail on March 7. Lich was re-arrested on June 27 for breaking the conditions of her bail by meeting with Marazzo at an awards gala in Toronto.On July 8, Justice of the Peace Paul Harris told Lich, "your detention is necessary to maintain confidence in the administration of justice."On Monday, Lich's lawyer Lawrence Greenspon said the interaction between Lich and Marazzo was “nothing more than a handshake” and a group photo. Crown prosecutor Moiz Karimjee argued Lich was a "decision maker" in the strategy to "gridlock" the city of Ottawa.Goodman said Harris had a "bold assertion" that Lich endangered the public, and that the freedom protests still going on in Ottawa should be attributed to her. He said Harris also should have "grappled with" the circumstances of Lich being a non-violent, first-time offender.While Karimjee had suggested Lich could be given a 10-year sentence for mischief and obstruction, to which Harris agreed, Goodman said Lich's charges were minor."I find it highly unlikely this 49 year old accused… would face a lengthy term," he said.Goodman warned Lich to abide by the conditions of her bail, adding he does not expect her to be released a third time if her bail once again comes into question.Lich faces charges of mischief, obstructing police, counselling others to commit mischief and intimidation. She is scheduled to appear in court again on July 28.A dozen of Lich’s supporters were gathered by a white pickup truck parked by the Ottawa Courthouse. .Lich spent a total of 48 days in custody at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre since her initial arrest.
