Defence asks to see binders in Elliot Lake cop's trial

When the trial of an Elliot Lake police officer resumes April 20 he likely will be facing fewer charges.

Glenn McLean was back in a Sault Ste. Marie courtroom Monday for the continuation of his trial on 26 charges, but the matter didn't go ahead.

Instead, it was put over with an indication that the Crown won't be proceeding with all charges when the trial resumes.

Timmins assistant Crown attorney Wayne O'Hanley, who is prosecuting the case, wasn't present, but will return for the resumption of the proceedings.

Since the trial began last fall — and started up again March 21 after a five-month break — Superior Court Justice Michael Varpio has heard from only one person, the Crown's key witness and McLean's former girlfriend Karen Querat.

McLean has pleaded not guilty to the charges, ranging from stealing a breathalyzer machine and gas from the OPP, thefts from the Anishnabie Naadmaagi Gamig Substance Abuse Treatment Centre, and conspiracy to commit an indictable offence to assault causing bodily harm, threatening, pointing a firearm, and numerous counts of assault on Querat.

During her first days on the witness stand, Querat testified that she and the Ontario Provincial Police officer had spent tens of thousands of dollars stolen from her former employer, a Blind River treatment centre, on vacations, shopping trips, vehicles and sporting equipment. 

The woman, who now resides in Sudbury, also described in detail how McLean attacked and assaulted her on numerous occasions.

She had already undergone several days of cross-examination when she returned to the witness stand March 21 to continue answering defence counsel Bruce Willson's questions. 

She was slated to be on the stand for most of the two weeks scheduled for last month, but the trial was adjourned for a number of days because she was ill.

When Querat did testify, her evidence was vigorously challenged by Willson, who repeatedly accused her of lying.

The veteran lawyer attacked her credibility and also questioned the actions of O'Hanley, who the court heard had given Querat rides from Sudbury and Elliot Lake to attend court in the Sault.

Willson continued that line of questioning when the trial resumed last Tuesday after the Easter holiday.

His first question to Querat that morning was about her travel arrangements and she told him that she had received a ride to her mother's home in Elliot Lake for the holiday weekend and then back to the Sault for the resumption of court with the assistant Crown attorney.

"Mr. O'Hanley was your chauffeur and carried your bags?" Willson asked, after she had indicated that she wasn't able to lift her own luggage because of back surgery she had last year.

"He was already coming here, we both were travelling to the same location. I needed assistance," she explained. "It was determined I'd be travelling with Mr. O'Hanley."

Willson also questioned her about two three-ring binders that she said the prosecutor had given her to review in preparation for the preliminary hearing in Blind River two years ago.

The binders included her statements to police, as well as statements given by McLean and other witnesses, she said.

After hearing this, Willson asked for disclosure of the binders, as well as any e-mails between Querat and O'Hanley regarding the court proceedings.