All but three charges against OPP officer withdrawn

Saying there was no reasonable prospect of conviction, the Crown withdrew the vast majority of charges against an Elliot Lake police officer when his trial resumed this week at the Sault Ste. Marie courthouse.

With 23 of the 26 charges no longer before the court, the proceedings against Glenn McLean continue on just three counts stemming from his job as an Ontario Provincial Police constable. 

He has pleaded not guilty to possession of stolen property and two counts of theft involving a breathalyzer machine and gas from the OPP.

McLean is suspended with pay.

The 23 charges, which were withdrawn Wednesday, were related to the Crown's key witness, McLean's ex-girlfriend Karen Querat.

They ranged from thefts from the woman's former employer, a Blind River treatment centre, conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, assault causing bodily harm, threatening, pointing a firearm and numerous counts of assault against Querat. 

The offences were alleged to have occurred between December 2011 and November 2013.

Since the trial began in the fall and started up again in March after a five-month break, Superior Court Justice Michael Varpio only heard testimony from Querat.

The Sudbury woman was the first witness called by Timmins assistant Crown attorney Wayne O'Hanley, who is prosecuting the case.

She was still testifying, and undergoing what had turned into a lengthy and vigorous cross-examination by defence counsel Bruce Willson, when she fell ill in early April.

The trial was adjourned until this week, and at that time there were indications that most of the charges would be withdrawn.

In his cross-examination Willson repeatedly attacked the woman's credibility, suggesting numerous times that she was lying.

The veteran lawyer also questioned O'Hanley's actions, after the court heard he had given Querat rides from Sudbury and Elliot Lake to attend court here.

The trial is scheduled to continue today and next week.