Ottawa – In a significant turn of events on the seventh day of the “Freedom Convoy” trial, a video was presented in court revealing Tamara Lich, a central figure in the protest, as the president of the corporation responsible for managing protest donations.
The video is one of several recordings from extensive press conferences hosted by the “Freedom Convoy” spokespeople. These conferences, which were live-streamed on Facebook, have become a focal point of the ongoing trial.
In one such video, Lich openly acknowledges her role in the convoy, only for fellow organizer Ben Dichter to interject, emphasizing her position as the “president” of the corporation. This entity, dubbed “Freedom Corp.,” was established under the guidance of their then-lawyer, Keith Wilson, to oversee donations.
Both Lich and Chris Barber, who played pivotal roles in rallying a convoy of trucks to Ottawa in early 2022, are currently facing a slew of charges. These include mischief, intimidation, and police obstruction, stemming from their involvement in the three-week-long demonstrations that disrupted city streets.
The press conferences from February 6 and 9 have been under scrutiny. In these videos, Lich, along with other prominent figures, is seen addressing queries from independent media outlets. The setting appears to be a hotel room, with Lich notably positioned at the center, though her verbal contributions were limited.
The defense has raised objections regarding the admissibility of these videos as evidence. Lawrence Greenspon, representing Lich, intends to challenge the relevance of the “Freedom Convoy 2022” evidence concerning the charges against both Barber and Lich. This debate over the Facebook evidence’s admissibility is set to be a significant point of contention as the trial progresses.
Eric Granger, another attorney for Lich, had suggested addressing the evidence admissibility issue prior to cross-examining Sgt. Joanne Pilotte, a key witness who has been testifying for several days. However, Justice Heather Perkins-McVey has expressed reservations, suggesting that such discussions might be premature.
As the trial continues, these revelations and debates are expected to play a crucial role in the proceedings.
