TORONTO, October 16, 2001 (LSN.ca) – Toronto sidewalk counselor Alex Vernon went before a judge, Oct. 11, to enter into a common-law peace-bond. In the agreement, the crown withdrew charges on the condition that Vernon refrain from communicating with a Scott abortuary staff member, and not be found within 100 feet of that abortuary located at 157 Gerrard Street East. Defense Counsel Blaise MacLean considered the Peace Bond an acceptable resolution to a confusing series of events that began when Vernon was arrested February 26, while standing outside of the injunction zone surrounding the abortuary. Vernon was strip searched during the ordeal.
The criminal harassment charge laid at that time was eventually deemed unsupportable by the evidence presented by the crown, and the Justice presiding over the pre-trial proposed a common-law peace bond as preferable to proceeding to trial. Mr. MacLean made an appearance on behalf of Mr. Vernon at a later date, for the purpose of setting a date for the peace bond proceedings. At this appearance, MacLean was surprised to learn that the crown was proceeding with a new charge, of causing a disturbance.
On the 11th, the court was informed that more than 6 months had elapsed between the alleged incident and the date of the laying of the new charges. As cause disturbance charge charges would therefore be thrown out, the peace bond was again proposed as resolution.
Vernon has resumed counseling in Toronto, having returned from the West Coast where he was involved in pro-life work.