An unexpected start to the second day in the Justice of Peace Anna Gibbon hearing.
Eugene Bhattacharya, who is representing Gibbon, immediately called for adjournment on the days proceedings.
Bhattacharya cited a late disclosure after Monday’s hearing by the presenting council was worthy of allowing him more time to have discussions with Gibbon to see how she would like to proceed, based on the new information.
Bhattacharya added it was inappropriate that a potential witness was in the call prior to testifying.
Linda Rothstein is the prosecution against Anna Gibbon, and stated that the individual was in fact not a witness, and that the hearing should proceed.
The defense council argued against this, believing he still deserved time with Gibbon to discuss how to move forward based on new disclosures.
Rothstein countered by stressing the next witness would in fact not relate to the new evidence, and therefore could fairly testify immediately.
Head Panelist Timothy Lipson considered both sides, questioning Bhattacharya as to why not to proceed with the next witness if they had no connection to new disclosures.
It was then Justice Lipson allowed Bhattacharya and Gibbon a short 15 minute meeting away from the hearing to decide how to proceed.
The decision to go forward with the witness, Supervisor of Court Services Jody Kantzie, lead to her explaining an interaction she had with Anna Gibbon around the time of her son’s trial.
Kantzie testified that she was confronted at her office by Gibbon, which included yelling and using profanity to find out why her son’s case was declared to have a conflict, which occurs when the accused would have some direct relationship with the city or justice system.
In these cases, outside prosecution is brought in to ensure a fair and unbiased trial, which occurred in Gibbon’s son’s case. This was confirmed by Justice of the Peace for Ontario Bernard Caron, saying outside prosecution is standard practice in these cases.
In the cross examination Bhattacharya questioned Kantzie about her relationship with Gibbon prior to the case, Kantzie testifying they always had a very “friendly relationship” before.
Two weeks have been allocated for the proceedings, which includes another week scheduled for July 5-9.
Proceedings will kick off an hour later on Wednesday, as a participant has a COVID vaccine appoint scheduled in the morning.