News

TORONTO, June 21 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Gord Truscott and LifeSite Managing Director Steve Jalsevac, two of the journalists arrested while photographing the October 1999 protest by Linda Gibbons at a Toronto abortuary, had their obstruction charges dropped this afternoon.

After eight months, a total of ten court appearances, and several thousand dollars in legal costs, the journalists were vindicated by the Crown attorney today. He stated that, after reviewing all the evidence in the case, he concluded there “is no reasonable probability of conviction” of the defendants and recommended that the charges be withdrawn.

Two weeks ago, after numerous repeated requests, the videotape and photographs taken by the accused during the October incident, were finally returned to them by Toronto’s 51 Division.  Although the case did not go to actual trial and the video was not brought into court, the duo’s lawyer Blaise MacLean states the photos and video emphatically prove Truscott and Jalsevac’s innocence of the trumped-up obstruction charges.

The case against the third journalist, Sue Careless, is still not resolved. Mrs. Careless’ case is being handled separately by a different lawyer although today’s developments will likely also influence her case.

Truscott and Jalsevac filed formal complaints against the arresting officers last October. The investigation of the complaints against the officers was undertaken by a fellow officer in 51 Division. In a Feb. 28 letter, the Superintendent of 51 Division, Donald Mantle, stated his agreement with the investigating officer’s conclusions and found that “there was no misconduct on the part of the subject officers.” Both Jalsevac and Truscott separately appealed this decision which they found to be ridiculous and are still awaiting a reply from the Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services.

Some of the video footage and photographs that were recently returned by the police will be placed on LifeSite in the near future.