The premier weekly newspaper for the legal profession in Ontario
Issue link: https://digital.lawtimesnews.com/i/51537
newsmakers "But, as lawyers, we believe in the rule of law . . . and that means we believe first of all in the presumption of innocence and Michael is entitled to the same treatment and respect that you and I are." Then in May, Peck announced the case against Bryant had been dropped. "The evidence establishes that Mr. Shep- pard was the aggressor in the altercation with Mr. Bryant. He was agitated and angry, without any provocation from Mr. Bryant and his wife," Peck said in the Ontario Court of Justice. "Our conclusion is that Mr. Bryant had been attacked by a man who unfortunately was in a rage," Peck said outside court. "In such circumstances, he was legally justi- fied in attempting to get away. The case could not be proved." The news was a tremendous relief for Bryant but also outraged some cyclists. "It seems completely unacceptable and I think there are going to be thousands of people across Toronto, not just cyclists, who are going to be extremely disappointed in the justice system for this outcome," Yvonne Bambrick of the Toronto Cyclists Union told the Post. Bryant, once in charge of all Ontario pros- ecutors, spoke to the media after the charges were dismissed. "As for the justice system, I now have a unique perspective from its highest pedestal as attorney general to its pillory, a defendant cuffed in the back of a squad car accused of two very serious offences involving the tragic death of a man," the Star reported him as saying. "The whole experience has been incredibly humbling and rightly so. . . . What I will never forget for the rest of my life is the unnecessary tragedy of that night." What is also clear is that the experience changed him. "It is not a morality play about bikes versus cars, couriers versus drivers, or one about class, privilege or politics. It's just about how in 28 seconds, everything can change," Bryant said at the time. Bryant has kept a low profile since the case was dropped, staying out of the spotlight that he once thrived on. "I do not know what the future holds. I have bills to pay. I want to go back to work," Bryant told the Post. Former attorney general Michael Bryant had a much better year in 2010 than in 2009. CdnProcess_CL_Oct_10.indd 1 2010 top news & newsmakers 7 9/15/10 10:39:37 AM