Written by The trial of Shawn Brant, who became the face of a series of native blockades across Southern Ontario last year, came to an unexpected end yesterday with a deal that will see him avoid jail time.
Mr. Brant had been facing a slew of mischief charges related to the 2007 aboriginal day of action, when native blockades were erected along highways and rail lines.
In Mr. Brant’s defence, lawyer Peter Rosenthal was set to begin yesterday a lengthy series of pretrial motions alleging misconduct, such as unauthorized wiretaps, by both Ontario Provincial Police officers and Commissioner Julian Fantino.
But after a surprise deal, those pretrial motions were skipped, an agreed-upon statement of fact was read, and Mr. Brant was quickly found guilty on just three mischief charges – two for blocking a rail line and one for blocking Highway 401.
