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Part of Court cases

Liam Campbell 2008

July 3, 2007 police press release

August 13, 2007 police press release

August 27, 2007 police press release

April 8, 2008 police press release

April 8, 2008 CTV

April 9, 2008 The Star Man charged with setting west-end fires

Star map of west-end arson fires

Unless otherwise noted, court reports are by M. Monastyrskyj, CELOS researcher.

Monday April 28 2008 court appearance: by video from Don Jail in Courtroom 111.

The accused was up on the video screen for only a few moments. He seemed calm and spoke only a few times to respond to questions -- mainly just to repeat his name when asked. When he turned to leave the camera, the door opened and the screen showed the long hallway at the jail.

The lawyer was not in court but a representative said they're still awaiting disclosure. A return date, by video, was set for Monday May 5.

Monday May 5 2008

Campbell appeared only briefly by video in courtroom 111, Old City Hall. He asked about his disclosure. The Crown attorney said disclosure was ready and that it was 3 inches thick. An articling student who was in court as an agent for Campbell's lawyer Lydia(?) Riba(?) (Update: The lawyer is Lydia Riva of Adams Riva LLP) said she would accept the disclosure. The Crown attorney was not exaggerating. The stack of documents was about as thick as a large book. A return date, by video, was set for Monday May 12. Note: It was mentioned in court that there are no video appearances in 111 on Thursdays.

Monday May 12, 2008

Campbell is on the 2pm video list. He makes a brief appearance at 2:40. The Justice of the Peace decides Campbell will return to 111 by video at 2pm on Monday May 26.

Monday May 26, 2008

Courtroom 111, Old City Hall. Campbell is on the 2pm video docket. He makes a brief appearance at 2:55pm. Neither the defense lawyer, Lydia Riva, or the assigned Crown, Rebecca Edwards, is in the courtroom. This isn't unusual for set-date court, but today nothing can be done without them. The Justice of the Peace sets a new date for Campbell: 2pm by video, Monday June 2, courtroom 111, Old City Hall

Monday June 2, 2008

Campbell, who is in the Don Jail, is on the 2pm video list. He appears at 2:30pm. The police officer in charge of the case was in court earlier to bring some more disclosure. The Crown attorney says it will be made available to the defense next Monday. It can't be provided right away because the Crown has to vet it for "identifiers" first. The Crown has to remove names and other identifying information from the document. Campbell's next court date is Monday June 9. He will appear by video at 2pm.

Monday June 9, 2008

Campbell, who is in the Don Jail, made another brief appearance by video in courtroom 111. Duty counsel said his lawyer's name is Lydia Riva. The lawyers are trying to arrange a pre-trial but for some reason that it hasn't happened yet. The Crown attorney says he has "a bit of disclosure" for the defense. The Crown attorney in charge of the case is Ms. Edwards. She was not in court today. Campbell's next appearance will be on Monday June 16 at 2pm by video in courtroom 111.

Monday June 16, 2008

Courtroom 111, Old City Hall. Campbell is on the 2pm video docket. He makes a brief video appearance at 2:45. The duty counsel (Melnyk) has a message from Campbell's lawyer, Lydia Riva. Riva is waiting to hear from the crown attorney assigned to the case, Rebecca Edwards. As the crown attorney began explaining the situation, I was approached by defense lawyer who wanted to know if I was her client. The JP decides Campbell will return to 111 by video at 2pm on Monday June 23.

Monday June 23, 2008

2:35pm Courtroom 111, Old City Hall. Campbell makes a brief appearance by video. The Crown attorney on duty, Delgato, says the case is being held up because the defense lawyer hasn't come to pick up disclosure that is about an inch thick. The Crown attorney assigned to the case, Rebecca Edwards, starts to say something about the disclosure when a woman who I believe works for the Springboard Diversion program asks me whether I have a "3 o'clock matter" before the court. By the time I nod no, Ms. Edwards has finished speaking. Campbell is told to come back to 111 at 2pm on Monday June 30, 2008.

Monday June 30, 2008

Campbell is on the 2pm video docket. He appears at 2:45pm. The Crown attorney notes that there was a pre-trial last week. Campbell's lawyer, Lydia Riva, has left a message asking that Campbell be brought back on July 3. The Justice of the Peace decides Monday July 7 at 2pm by video in coutroom 111 would be better.

Monday July 7, 2008

2:40pm Liam Campbell made a brief appearance by video in courtroom 111. During the discussion about when to bring Campbell back for his next appearance, the Justice of the Peace asks "Is this for a plea?" The Crown attorney answers, "Possibly." The JP says Campbell will be brought back to 111 at 9am on Tuesday August 5.

Tuesday August 5, 2008

Campbell is on the 9am docket in coutroom 111. I arrive late. When I enter the courtroom at 9:15, I don't know if Campbell has appeared yet, but based on past court visits, I suspect he hasn't. There are a lot of people on the 9am docket so it's unlikely his name would have been called right away. In any case, I find a spot in the "body of the court." The benches are crowded. It's a full house today. At 9:20, the Crown attorney on duty, Flaherty, calls out a list of names including Liam Campbell's. A number of people get up and line up on the right side to wait their turn to appear before the Justice of the Peace. Campbell, who is in custody, wouldn't be in the line-up, but he's not in the prisoners' box either. He won't appear for another hour.

At 10:20 court officers escort Campbell up from the basement into the prisoners' box. Campbell spots a young well-dressed black woman with short hair and glasses sitting behind the box. He smiles warmly and waives to her. She smiles and waives back. When Campbell appeared on video, he always wore a prison-issue orange jumpsuit. Today he is neatly dressed in a black blazer and dress slacks. His hair is combed and his beard neatly combed. The April 8, 2008 police press release says he's 40, but he has a youthful face. I would have guessed he is younger.

A few minutes later it's his turn to appear before the Justice of the Peace. Rebecca Edwards, the Crown attorney assigned to the case, addresses the court as does Campbell's lawyer. I can't hear the name of Campbell's lawyer but in previous appearances it was given as Lydia Riva. The lawyer who appears for Campbell is a woman with black, shoulder-length hair.

Edwards says there was an initial pre-trial this morning. I couldn't hear clearly the rest of what she said, but I believe she told the court there had to be a second pre-trial. The JP sets a return date for 9am Wednesday August 27 in courtroom 111. Campbell will appear in person. During Campbell's last visit on July 7, the possibility of a plea was mentioned. That Campbell is appearing in person rather than by video may mean that a plea bargain of some kind is being worked out, though I can't be sure.

When the guards start to escort Campbell back downstairs, he turns his head and smiles at the young woman he waved to earlier. She smiles and waves back. She gets up and walks out the door with Campbell's lawyer.

Wednesday August 27, 2008

Campbell was scheduled to appear in person at 9am in courtroom 111, old City Hall. No one from CELOS was present.

Friday August 29, 2008

The court clerk at old City Hall said Campbell's next court date is Monday September 8 at 2pm in courtroom 111. He will appear by video.

Monday September 8, 2008

Campbell is on the 2pm video docket in courtroom 111. The Justice of the Peace is Cesar De Morais. There is another problem with the video system. These technical problems began in May. After the clerk fails to fix the problem she gets another woman to come in and then another man. The problem is finally fixed at 2:50.

While the court is waiting it deals with people who should have been here at 9am but who arrived late as well as with people scheduled for 3 o'clock. The JP and the lawyers also go through the day's bench warrants. When I entered the courtroom it was almost empty, but by the time the video comes on the public benches are full and one woman has to wait outside because she can't find a seat.

Campbell appears at 3:05. The Crown attorney on duty asks him if Lydia Riva is his attorney. She left a message for the duty counsel. She wants Campbell to come back in a week. The Crown on duty has a message from Rebecca Edwards, the Crown assigned to the case. Edwards says the defense is seeking a "private psych evaluation." Duty counsel says she doesn't have any information about that. The Crown says her comment about the psychiatric evaluation has been put on the record.

The JP tells Campbell to come back to 111 on Monday September 15 at 2pm by video. Campbell's appearance lasts two minutes.

Monday September 15, 2008

Campbell was on the 2pm video docket in courtroom 111. CELOS wasn't present.

Monday September 22, 2008

Campbell was on the 2pm video docket in courtroom 111. CELOS wasn't present.

Tuesday September 30, 2008

The court clerk tells CELOS Campbell's next appearance will be at 2pm on Monday October 6 in courtroom 111. He is also scheduled to appear in courtroom 124 at 10am on Monday November 3.

Monday October 6, 2008

Campbell is on the 2pm docket in courtroom 111. Things are moving slowly today and he doesn't appear until 2:55. His lawyer, Lydia Riva, has left a message with duty counsel. She asks that the case be adjourned for a week "for further pre-trial." However, he can't come back in a week because next Monday is Thanksgiving. The Justice of the Peace, L. Saab, tells Campbell to come back to 111 at 2pm on Monday October 20 by video.

Monday October 20, 2008

Campbell is on the 2pm video docket in courtroom 111. He makes a brief appearance at 3:40. Duty counsel has a message from Campbell's lawyer, Lydia Riva. There's a brief discussion about when Campbell should return to court. Campbell has a trial scheduled for 10am Monday November 3 in courtroom 124. Crown attorney Normandeau says Campbell is charged with multiple counts of arson and that he is supposed to be getting a private psychiatric assessment. Normandeau says something about getting together for a review. Normandeau suggests Campbell should be brought back to court sometime after November 17. The Justice of the Peace decides Campbell will come back by video to courtroom 111 at 2pm on November 24.

Monday November 3, 2008

Campbell is on the 10am docket in courtroom 124. When Campbell appeared previously in courtroom 111, the lawyers said a trial was scheduled for today. I arrive at 10:45. I go to the Crown attorneys' office on the first floor to check the printout of today's docket. The names of people appearing at 10am in 124 fills two pages. According to the printout, Campbell is in court today for two charges dating back to July 23, 2007:

1) assault

2) assault with a weapon

Outside 124 I see a police detective, Jason, who I've met previously. When he sees me, he asks jokingly if I'm following him. He's not here for Campbell. Old City Hall is a small world and I see the same faces very often. In the courtroom itself, I see another 14 Division officer I recognize but whose name I don't know.

Court begins at 10:10am. The presiding judge is Justice Joseph Bovard. There are two Crown attorneys: one for the province and one for the federal government. The provincial Crown is Fred Bartley. I don't catch the name of the federal Crown. In any case, she leaves almost right away. It's hard to hear what the lawyers are saying, but Bartley says something about "vetting the docket."

The court deals quickly with two matters. At 10:15 Bartley says the next name on the list is Campbell who is in custody. He tells Bovard that Campbell will have to be brought up. This takes about five minutes, during which the court deals quickly with two more matters.

When Campbell is brought in, he is neatly dressed in a brown corduroy blazer. He smiles warmly to a young well-dressed black woman and to an older black couple who are with the woman. Campbell's lawyer, Lydia Riva, is present.

Bartley says the Crown has decided "there is no reasonable prospect of conviction." He says the complainant is a transient and while his whereabouts are known, the Crown doesn't think a conviction is possible. He says "The Crown is exercising its discretion to withdraw the charges."

That done, court officers lead Campbell out of the room. The young woman and older couple also leave. Campbell's court appearance lasted less than five minutes. The Crown excuses himself.

I go outside to talk to him. I had trouble hearing in the courtroom and want to make sure I heard correctly what happened. When I ask to speak to him, he says he has to talk to a police officer first. After I confirm what I heard in court, he asks me who I am. I tell him. He says he just needs to know who he's talking to. He's obviously very busy, because right after he finishes talking to me, he starts talking to a defense lawyer about another case.

Monday November 24, 2008

Campbell is on the 2pm video docket in courtroom 111 (set-date court). He comes on screen at 3:20. Campbell's lawyer, Lydia Riva, has a left a message with duty counsel asking that Campbell come back to court on December 1. The Crown attorney on duty, Rebecca Edwards, notes the defence has been trying to get another psychiatric assessment for Campbell. One of the lawyers asks Campbell if he has spoken to a psychiatrist. Campbell says no. Edwards tells Campbell and duty counsel that her office needs to speak to Riva. She says her office last spoke to Riva in October. The Justice of the Peace (Cresswell) tells Campbell he will be coming back by video on December 1.

Monday December 1, 2008

Campbell is on the 2pm video docket in courtroom 111 (set-date court). He comes on screen at 3. His lawyer, Lydia Riva, has left a message with duty counsel asking that he come back to court in a week. A pre-trial is mentioned. The Justice of the Peace remands Campbell to Monday December 8 at 2pm by video.

Monday December 8, 2008

Campbell is on the 2pm video docket in courtroom 111 (set-date court). Over the past view months there have been various problems with the video link that connects Old City Hall to the different jails. Today the menu on the TV screen looks different. Before court starts duty counsel asks the clerk if the system has new software. The clerk says it does. She says the new software is faster.

Campbell comes on screen at 2:45pm. The Crown attorney on duty, Rebecca Edwards, says the Crown has had some discussions with Campbell's lawyer, Lydia Riva, and there have been numerous pre-trials. I find it hard to hear what Edwards is saying. However, she does mention that the defence wants Campbell to undergo another psychiatric assessment. She also mentions a problem with legal aid. The two things might be connected, but I couldn't hear exactly what was being said. Edwards says she has spoken to a lawyer named Adams who works with Riva. The firm is Adams Riva LLP The Justice of the Peace orders Campbell to appear again by video at 2pm on Monday December 22.

Monday December 22, 2008

Campbell is on the 2pm video docket in courtroom 111. Campbell comes on screen at 2pm. Duty counsel says he has a message from lawyer Susan Adams asking that Campbell return in two weeks. The Crown attorney on duty, Rebecca Edwards, says Campbell's lawyer, Lydia Riva, is on vacation. Adams is Riva's partner in the firm Adams Riva LLP. Edwards has been talking to Adams about the case. Edwards says the defence is in the process of having Campbell undergo an independent psychiatric assessment. The assessment had been held up while the defence waited to hear from legal aid about funding. Edwards says the fundng has finally come through. Edwards says the defence needs to schedule a pre-trial. The Justice of the Peace orders Campbell to come back to court by video at 2pm on Monday January 12.

Monday January 12, 2009

Campbell is scheduled to appear by video in courtroom 111 at 2pm. No one from CELOS is present.

Tuesday January 20, 2009

The court clerk tells CELOS Campbell's next court date is 9am Tuesday February 3.

Tuesday February 3, 2009

Campbell is on the 9am docket in courtroom 111. Guards bring Campbell into the the courtroom shortly before 10. He looks back at the people sitting on the public benches. He is wearing a black blazer. His hair and beard are neatly trimmed. Campbell's lawyer, Susan Adams has left a message with duty counsel. She wants Campbell to be brought to courtroom 117 for resolution. (A defence lawyer not involved in this case told me 117 is a plea court similar to 112.) This probably means the Crown and the defence have reached a plea agreement. The JP orders Campbell to appear in courtroom 117, Old City Hall at 10am on Wednesday February 11.

Wednesday February 11, 2009

Liam Campbell appeared before Justice Justice Paul H. Reinhardt in courtroom 117, Old City Hall. He was represented by Susan Adams. He plead guilty to four counts of arson. One of the fires he admitted starting caused an estimated $90,000 damage to a commercial property owned by Dominelli Service Station at 153 Dufferin while another fire caused $3,000 damage to a garage. Campbell was described as being of "no fixed address" for at least one of the fires. He will be sentenced after the court has received a psychiatric report that is currently being prepared. He will appear for sentencing at 10am on April 9 in courtroom 126, Old City Hall.

Reinhardt agreed to release Campbell on bail under the supervision of his parents who were in court today along with his sister. Both the judge and Crown attorney Colleen Hepburn agreed that his parents would make good sureties. His parents had to pledge $10,000. In addition, Campbell is subject to a number of conditions. He must reside with his parents in Burlington. He may not leave the home except in the company of his parents. He may not possess any weapons, incendiary devices or accelerants (eg. matches, gasoline). He must attend treatment. He may not consume alcohol. (The Crown said there are some indications Campbell has an alcohol problem.) He must keep the peace and be of good behaviour. He must be amenable to rules and discipline of the house.

Describing the bail as "rather restrictive", the judge warned Campbell and his parents that any breach of these conditions would lead to Campbell's re-arrest.

Thursday April 9, 2009

Campbell appeared in person accompanied by his family in courtroom M1, Old City Hall. Defence lawyer Lydia Riva asked provincial court justice Reinhardt to postpone sentencing to give the defence psychiatrist more time to complete his assessment of Campbell. Campbell will be appearing again on Wednesday May 27. Justice Reinhardt is not assigned to a courtroom on that day, but said that can probably be changed. Since Reinhardt doesn't know yet what courtroom he will be sitting in, Campbell's case was assigned to courtroom 111 "to be traversed". This means it will be transferred to the whichever courtroom Reinhardt is sitting in.

Wednesday May 27, 2009

I arrive at Old City Hall at 9am. The first order of business is to find out in which courtroom Justice Reinhardt will be presiding. When the case was remanded on April 9, Reinhardt didn't know which courtroom he would be in today. Campbell was told to appear in courtroom 111 at 9am and his matter would be traversed (transferred) from there to whichever courtroom Reinhardt would be sitting in today. I ask at the provincial Crown office on the first floor. A man there tells me Reinhardt will be sitting in L court on the third floor.

Since Campbell's case won't be heard until 10am at the earliest, I go to courtroom 111. Sitting outside the courtroom are Campbell, his parents and a young woman I believe is his sister. The family is well-dressed and well-spoken. I would judge them to be middle class though I don't know for sure. A good newspaper reporter would just go up to the family and start asking questions, but not being a reporter, I worry about being intrusive. It already feels a little awkward observing Campbell in court even though I understand Canadian courts are public and I have a right to be here.

Court sessions in 111 start at 9am - an hour earlier than in most other Old City Hall courtrooms. I enter when the uniformed court officer opens the door, but Campbell and his family don't come in. Concerned that I am in the wrong place, I go back outside where the family is still sitting. Campbell's lawyer, Susan Adams, arrives and goes in 111. I follow. She tells the Justice of the Peace she just wants to make sure Campbell's case has been traversed (moved) to courtroom L. A court officer says it has. Adams leaves the courtroom.

I go upstairs to courtroom L. Campbell and his family are sitting outside. I see Justice Reinhardt in the corridor still wearing his street clothes. Shortly after 10 Adams enters the courtroom. I follow. When Reinhardt enters and climbs to the judge's bench he bows and, as is his custom, he touches his forehead on the desk. He is the only judge I've seen bow that far down. I'm not sure, but I think I saw a Crown attorney smile to herself when he bowed.

When Campbell's matter is called, the defence lawyer, Adams, and the Crown attorney, Colleen Hepburn, tell the court they have each just received the psychiatric report from Dr. Pierce and need time to review it. Reinhardt agrees saying he just received his copy a few minutes ago. He notes that it's a "big report." Adams says she received it late last night by email. Adams and Hepburn say they went to the trial coordinator's office to find an available date for sentencing. They want to come back on Friday July 3. Reinhardt agrees. Campbell's next appearance will be in courtroom 124, Old City Hall.

Friday July 3, 2009

Campbell was sentenced today. He went home with his parents. His sentence was time served, a 10-month suspended sentence and two years probation.