Thread by @atMatthewBest

Ok, here begins my live tweeting thread of the #billingsbail hearing. As usual, no I won't share the link with you, if you do have access don't livestream it like last time.

Last week Justice Hackett adjourned w/o deciding.

#ottawa #truckerbail

For the pre-lunch portion from last Friday, you can get caught up here: threadreaderapp.com/thread/1497217…

For the post-lunch coverage, you can start here:
threadreaderapp.com/thread/1497286…

#billingsbail #truckerbail #truckerconvoy

Our dramatis personae from last week were:

George Billings, the accused
Oleksiy Bykov for the defence
Tara Dobec for the Crown
Appearing before Justice Donna Hackett of the Ontario Court of Justice

#billingsbail #truckerbail

Greetings from Dobec to Bykov and back. Madam Clerk informs us we're just waiting for Her Honour on the most feedback-y microphone.

I'm getting used to this hearing causing me harm.

According to the clerk's (now normal) mic, Billings is just waiting to come in.

#billingsbail

Still waiting.

So this is the regular cycle of events for court. You show up on time because court! But it takes a while to start. By ten minutes in (and still waiting), you're wondering when the first recess will be because your morning coffee is running through you.

Ok, it looks like George Billings is entering the courtroom now and sounds like our audio is going live.

#georgebillings #billingsbail #truckerbail

"The Ontario Court of Justice is now in session!"

Justice Hackett was struggling with the webinar for the last 15 minutes, but she's now in (thanks to the clerk, she says).

We're ready to continue.

Hmm, justice Hackett is now section 517 is in order. She says the defence did not apply for a section 517 order.

Now Bykov is making a request for a s.517 order. The defence's request for a publication bail ban means no more coverage, so ... we're done.

That was short!

(This does not apply retroactively, but the defence's request must be automatically granted. The judge has just confirmed the order.)

I can still observe the trial, but I can't share the information or reasons. Still. I'll be here.