Michael Bryant – More Than One Tragedy Happened That Night.

Michael Bryant – More Than One Tragedy Happened That Night.

On Monday night, former Liberal MPP for the riding of St. Paul’s and Attorney General had an altercation with a cyclist which ended up with the cyclist being killed. I have no idea how this happened and at this point I am willing to bet there are very few people who do. Although I worked in the Legislative Assembly while Mr. Bryant was an opposition member, I did not know him personally. I have nothing to say about him personally. I am willing to bet that this is a situation that Mr. Bryant certainly did not plan for, nor does he did he want to be a party to.

So what is it that I am going on about?

It would seem that Mr. Bryant has been changed with criminally negligent homicide. What a horrible position to be in. I do know that someone lost their life that night even though I do not know how. I am not judging on anyone’s guilt or innocence that is for a judge and/or jury to do. I am not in anyway connected with any part of this case or investigation. What I am is someone who is saddened yet again by the failure of the justice system to maintain its fairness and blindness.

Anyone who is charged with a criminal offence is required to be remanded until they are given a time and date (usually within 24-48 hours) to attend bail court. That is where they can enter a plea and bail is set and bail conditions are negotiated with the Crown, the Defendant and the Presiding Justice of the Peace. This applies to individuals who have been charged with any crime under the criminal code and many of those are non violent crimes and many of these people are just like Mr. Bryant. Well, almost like Mr. Bryant. They were not once Attorney General. They are not friends with the Premier of Ontario. They did not get a “get out of jail free” card.

Mr. Bryant did not have to go to bail court. He did not have to post bail and he was released on his own recognizance directly from the police station he was taken to, not the courthouse. I blame the police more than anyone in this situation as they should have processed Mr. Bryant like they do with every other individual who is charged. Mr. Bryant is a lawyer and was Attorney General and does know better. He knows that justice is not going to be served while corners are being cut. I can’t say I blame him for wanting to take the shortcut. Although he should have taken the road most traveled in this case, which is the one every other person has to take in this situation. At this point, the process is already tainted.

For the law to work effectively, everyone must be treated equally under the law. This does not happen. I have seen this many times before but never in such a blatant and public manner. The system is severely broken and I do not see anyone willing to stand up and say so and start to fix it.

The police claim it is within their discretion to allow Mr. Bryant to go home as opposed to processing him through the system as I would assume everyone else has to do. They claim they did not give him any preferential treatment. Seriously, this was the statement that was made yesterday after Mr. Bryant was released. I would like to know who is buying this wonderful bridge they are selling.

Of course Mr. Bryant was given preferential treatment! This is not even a question. I wonder how the friends and family of the cyclist who was killed Monday night feel about that. I also wonder how all the other individuals in Ontario who are changed and processed through the system, but are not friends with the Premier and have to go through the full procedure feel about his as well? They all know the system is broken and that justice is only for a chosen few. I have experienced this first hand. So have many other people I know. Justice is for the well connected, the rich and the lucky few who happen to be in the right place at the right time.

I actually do feel quite horrible for Mr. Bryant and the situation he now finds himself in. I do wish he did not take advantage of his name and connections and used his knowledge of the system to ensure that the process from beginning to end was kept above board. I have always had the utmost respect for Mr. Bryant and I am in absolute shock that he acted as though he is above the law by not insisting he be processed like everyone else. This is such an incredibly disappointing aspect of an already horrific set of events.

Lady Justice is no longer blind. I know this sounds quite horrible, but can we please take away her sight again and regain equality under the law?

Wendy Stewart