A verdict in Mayor Larry O’Brien’s influence peddling trial is expected on Aug. 12.
After hearing closing arguments from Crown attorney Scott Hutchison and O’Brien’s defence lawyer Michael Edelson, Justice Douglas J. Cunningham thanked both counsels for providing him with so much to think about.
“Needless to say, I am going to reserve (judgment) on this. The question is for how long,” he said. “I want to get this done as quickly as I can, but on the other hand, I want to give it a great deal of thought and consideration.”
Cunningham said he will be sitting in other cases during the next two weeks and he will be out of the province at the end of July and out of the country for 10 days in August, which means a decision would not be rendered for over a month.
It is even possible that Cunningham could require more time to deliver his decision after that date, Hutchison said outside the courtroom.
Over the next five weeks, Cunningham will be left to ponder whether the objective evidence supports the testimony given by Terry Kilrea during his near-week in the witness box or the videotaped statement O’Brien made to OPP investigators.
O’Brien is facing two charges stemming from allegations that he offered to help get Kilrea an appointment with the National Parole Board in exchange for Kilrea withdrawing from the 2006 mayoral election.
If Cunningham accepts O’Brien’s version of the story, then Kilrea is a “disingenuous,” “circuitous,” “devious,” “vindictive,” “mean-spirited,” and “hypocritical” failed politician, as Edelson argued, who misinterpreted and exaggerated a simple inquiry about his plans after the election, then pulled the strings behind the scenes to ensure O’Brien was charged.
There are no plans for the mayor to go back to city hall prior to the judge’s decision, O’Brien’s media adviser, Barry McLoughlin, said yesterday.
