SandBox
July 11th, 2004, 10:16
Bertuzzi case begins in brief
Hearing lasts 67 seconds: Canucks star will not be arraigned until after July 22
VANCOUVER - Todd Bertuzzi -- the Vancouver Canucks star forward charged with allegedly assaulting an opponent during a National Hockey League game last season -- will have to wait until July 22 to learn when he will be arraigned.
Bertuzzi, a crowd favourite in Vancouver, did not appear in person yesterday, to the disappointment of fans in attendance at a packed 80-seat Vancouver provincial courtroom.
More than half a dozen Bertuzzi fans, some wearing Bertuzzi hockey jerseys and one wearing a shirt reading "SupportBertuzzi.com," attended yesterday's hearing.
They were hoping for a glimpse of the hockey player who still remains a hero in some eyes, despite his violent hit on Colorado Avalanche player Steve Moore last March that has landed him in court facing a charge of assault causing bodily harm.
Bertuzzi's high-profile Vancouver criminal lawyer, Len Doust -- who a day earlier had appeared in another court as the special prosecutor in the diamond-ring-theft case against former NDP Member of Parliament Svend Robinson -- represented the hockey star yesterday and said he has had discussions on disclosure of evidence with the Crown.
Prosecutor Garth Loeppky told Judge Herb Weitzel that the Crown will proceed summarily on the charge -- rather than by indictment, which carries a potentially more serious maximum penalty -- and will set an arraignment date on July 22.
Bertuzzi is not expected to appear at his next court date, but is required to be in court for his arraignment, where he must enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
If he pleads not guilty, the matter will go to trial, which is expected to be scheduled sometime early next year because of a backlog of cases in the busiest court in the province.
If Bertuzzi chooses to plead guilty to the offence, he will then go to a sentencing hearing.
The Bertuzzi matter was quickly dealt with by the court -- it took only one minute and seven seconds, and was first on the morning list, which often contains up to 200 names of accused who are making their first court appearance after being charged, including those in custody.
Yesterday's session marked the beginning of the prosecution of Bertuzzi, who was charged June 24, three-and-a-half months after Moore was hit from behind on the ice and left with broken bones in his neck.
The controversial hit was watched by millions of TV viewers during a crucial end-of-season game between NHL rival teams vying to capture the top spot in their division.
Moore, 25, also suffered a concussion after he was punched from behind and slammed head-first to the ice near the end of the game.
Court officials told the media earlier this week that Bertuzzi's trial will be held in a much smaller courtroom and there will be fewer media seats than the 30 available yesterday.
The trial is expected to attract international media attention, as did the earlier Vancouver trial of former Boston Bruins player Marty McSorley.
McSorley was charged with assault with a weapon in February, 2000, after hitting former Canucks player Donald Brashear on the side of the head with his stick and knocking him unconscious.
Bertuzzi could face jail time, im lost for words.
If hockey players are going to be getting charged for ruff play, fighting, and bodychecking should be removed from the game.
Hearing lasts 67 seconds: Canucks star will not be arraigned until after July 22
VANCOUVER - Todd Bertuzzi -- the Vancouver Canucks star forward charged with allegedly assaulting an opponent during a National Hockey League game last season -- will have to wait until July 22 to learn when he will be arraigned.
Bertuzzi, a crowd favourite in Vancouver, did not appear in person yesterday, to the disappointment of fans in attendance at a packed 80-seat Vancouver provincial courtroom.
More than half a dozen Bertuzzi fans, some wearing Bertuzzi hockey jerseys and one wearing a shirt reading "SupportBertuzzi.com," attended yesterday's hearing.
They were hoping for a glimpse of the hockey player who still remains a hero in some eyes, despite his violent hit on Colorado Avalanche player Steve Moore last March that has landed him in court facing a charge of assault causing bodily harm.
Bertuzzi's high-profile Vancouver criminal lawyer, Len Doust -- who a day earlier had appeared in another court as the special prosecutor in the diamond-ring-theft case against former NDP Member of Parliament Svend Robinson -- represented the hockey star yesterday and said he has had discussions on disclosure of evidence with the Crown.
Prosecutor Garth Loeppky told Judge Herb Weitzel that the Crown will proceed summarily on the charge -- rather than by indictment, which carries a potentially more serious maximum penalty -- and will set an arraignment date on July 22.
Bertuzzi is not expected to appear at his next court date, but is required to be in court for his arraignment, where he must enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.
If he pleads not guilty, the matter will go to trial, which is expected to be scheduled sometime early next year because of a backlog of cases in the busiest court in the province.
If Bertuzzi chooses to plead guilty to the offence, he will then go to a sentencing hearing.
The Bertuzzi matter was quickly dealt with by the court -- it took only one minute and seven seconds, and was first on the morning list, which often contains up to 200 names of accused who are making their first court appearance after being charged, including those in custody.
Yesterday's session marked the beginning of the prosecution of Bertuzzi, who was charged June 24, three-and-a-half months after Moore was hit from behind on the ice and left with broken bones in his neck.
The controversial hit was watched by millions of TV viewers during a crucial end-of-season game between NHL rival teams vying to capture the top spot in their division.
Moore, 25, also suffered a concussion after he was punched from behind and slammed head-first to the ice near the end of the game.
Court officials told the media earlier this week that Bertuzzi's trial will be held in a much smaller courtroom and there will be fewer media seats than the 30 available yesterday.
The trial is expected to attract international media attention, as did the earlier Vancouver trial of former Boston Bruins player Marty McSorley.
McSorley was charged with assault with a weapon in February, 2000, after hitting former Canucks player Donald Brashear on the side of the head with his stick and knocking him unconscious.
Bertuzzi could face jail time, im lost for words.
If hockey players are going to be getting charged for ruff play, fighting, and bodychecking should be removed from the game.