Crown witness Serge Arpin, former chief of staff to Jim Watson, former mayor of Ottawa, breached rules by contacting Crown prosecutors during an active trial, court heard Friday..The trial is of Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, Freedom Convoy organizers, who face charges of mischief, intimidation, obstruction, and counselling to commit the same charges not committed. .Friday is Day 13 of the trial, and so far the Crown has not presented any criminal evidence against the convoy leaders. .Arpin, who spent three days on the witness stand this week, emailed Crown attorney Tim Radcliffe Thursday night to correct “an important miscommunication” from his testimony on Day 12 of the trial. However, this was against Justice Heather Perkins-McVey’s direct orders. .“I would like to clarify a statement yesterday,” Arpin said. .“The witness tried to contact Radcliffe [last night and] forwarded us the communication,” Diane Magas, counsel to Barber, told Perkins-McVey. .“I told you not to contact anyone,” Perkins-McVey said to Arpin. .“I wanted to correct a factual error,” Arpin replied, to which Magas requested he step out of the courtroom. . Lawrence Greenspon, counsel to Lich, said “Mr. Radcliffe sent me the forward[ed] email, and he did not reply.”.“I can’t see a way to give a witness an opportunity to correct a response [from] yesterday, Greenspon continued. "I asked you to tell him this can’t be done.” .“I’m the one in the dark,” the judge said. .“I take the same position, Your Honour,” said Magas. .“We take a different position," said the Crown. “It’s regarding an important miscommunication that I wasn’t able to confirm.”.“I think this has to do with the notes,” Magas said. .“It’s my understanding it was notes to file,” said the Crown. .“My concern is this,” said Perkins-McVey. “It was thoroughly, thoroughly examined yesterday. I had questions,” she speaks to Magas and Greenspon, “you had questions, defence.”.“This has been thoroughly probed.”.At that, Magas requested a morning break and the judge adjourned the court for 15 minutes. ."I think we're opening Pandora's box,” Perkins-McVey said. “And I think that I think we just have to leave it there.”
