Trudeau called to testify at trial of man linked to 2021 gravel-throwing incident in London, Ont., lawyer says | 24CA News

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been served with a subpoena to testify on the 2023 trial of a person accused of throwing gravel on the Liberal chief throughout an election marketing campaign cease in London, Ont., in September final yr.

London police charged Shane Marshall, 25, of St. Thomas with one rely of assault with a weapon after rocks had been thrown at Trudeau as he boarded his federal election marketing campaign bus on Sept. 6, 2021. 

Marshall’s lawyer, Phillip Millar, instructed 24CA News it is “unbelievably rare” that in a felony case akin to this one, the one who’s been allegedly assaulted would not be referred to as to testify within the first place.

“In every prosecution of this type, the complainant or victim would be a witness and testify as to what happened,” the London lawyer mentioned. “For the assault to be established in law, the person on the receiving end of it has to know it’s happening.”

Video footage seems to point out that as Trudeau was returning to his marketing campaign bus, pebbles or small gravel items had been thrown his manner whereas he was dealing with the other way. 

Shortly after, Marshall, who was president of the People’s Party of Canada’s Elgin Middlesex London using, was faraway from his place in response to the allegations.

2 variations of alleged incident 

Court paperwork obtained by 24CA News allege the prime minister gave two totally different variations of what really occurred that day.

“Immediately while aboard the bus, the PM told reporters that he ‘might have’ been struck, but seemed unsure if any pebbles had hit him. When challenged on whether anything had hit him, the PM replied, ‘Does it matter?'” the paperwork mentioned. 

The subpoena goes on to say that “in subsequent recordings, the PM states with certainty that he had in fact been struck by gravel.” Millar mentioned he expects to cross-examine Trudeau on the conflicting statements.

“Those two versions have to be tested because if the first one is true, then the assault with a weapon is not made out,” he mentioned.

When requested how possible it’s that Trudeau would testify, Millar mentioned if the prime minister had been the sufferer of a severe crime akin to assault, he ought to legitimately come ahead and testify in order that the accused might be held accountable. 

“The PM is a Canadian citizen like everybody else and shouldn’t be subject to different standards when it comes to charges on a very serious crime,” Millar mentioned. “I don’t know how the Crown can make a case without having him testify.”

Trudeau’s testimony essential: courtroom docs

The subpoena states Trudeau’s testimony is each materials and needed as a result of it connects the info of the incident to the weather of the cost, and nobody aside from the prime minister can present that proof. 

Millar mentioned if Trudeau would not present as much as testify in particular person or just about, the courtroom might both situation a warrant imposing attendance or the Crown would be pressured to withdraw the fees. 

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has confirmed to 24CA News that the subpoena has been acquired and there will likely be a response in the end. 

The trial date is ready for March 7 and anticipated to final in the future.