TORONTO, March 28, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – In a decision sure to infuriate the pro-life community, the woman convicted of pepper spraying and temporarily blinding, crisis pregnancy counsellor Robert Hinchey last summer walked out smiling after she was granted an absolute discharge in a Toronto courtroom this morning. Carol Ann Trueman had been convicted on a charge of assault last Monday. Judge Cathy Mocha accepted defence submissions that Trueman did not realize the effects a pepper spray attack would have and was truly remorseful. Mocha, while noting abortion is “an emotional issue,” added Trueman was acting out of fear, not aggression, and said there was no need for either specific or general deterrence. Under the circumstances, she said, an absolute discharge was appropriate. Outside court, Hinchey said he was “disappointed” Trueman did not get at least a probationary term. Pro-life observers who have tracked the case from its beginning have pointed to bungled police work and a Crown attorney’s office that did not at all appear to be intent on properly prosecuting the assailant. The charge had been reduced from assault with a weapon to simple assault in a plea bargain, setting the stage for today’s development.
Toronto pro-lifers have encountered many previous experiences of Toronto Police and the Ontario government’s Crown Attorney office quietly acting in favour of pro-abortion activists, regardless of clear evidence and circumstances in favour of pro-life individuals involved. See related LifeSite coverage: WOMAN CONVICTED IN PEPPER SPRAY ATTACK ON TORONTO PRO-LIFE COUNSELLOR https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/mar/03032505.html POLICE HAVE NO RECORD OF PEPPER SPRAYING INCIDENT AT TORONTO HOSPITAL https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/sep/02090601.html TORONTO PRO-ABORTS KIDNAP YOUNG WOMAN USING PEPPER SPRAY https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/sep/02090501.html POLICE NOW SAY THAT PEPPER SPRAY ASSAILANT WAS CHARGED https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2002/sep/02091301.html