Mchale complains Fantino out to "get him"

Protester says Fantino out to get him

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/339101

March 13, 2008

Dana Borcea

The Hamilton Spectator(Mar 13, 2008)

OPP and Caledonia critic Gary McHale says he is being personally targeted by police commissioner Julian Fantino.
"He's not hands off when it comes to Gary McHale," said the controversial protester yesterday at a court hearing in Cayuga over his bail conditions.
McHale is fighting conditions that have barred him from Caledonia and neighbouring regions after his Dec. 7 arrest. He was charged with counselling mischief after a violent protest over a Six Nations-operated smoke shop.
He has since subpoenaed several local politicians as well as Fantino and eight other officers to testify at his bail review.
Yesterday's hearing in a Cayuga courtroom was in response to an OPP application to quash the subpoenas.
McHale, who is representing himself, argued his bail conditions were unjustifiable given the relatively minor charge against him.
"I'm being targeted ... primarily because of politics," he said.
Ontario Superior Court Justice David Marshall cautioned McHale on several occasions to rein in his rhetoric and stick to arguing the need to subpoena the officers.
McHale said he needed to question the officers with "on-the ground" knowledge of Caledonia and his activities there to show he does not incite violence, as has been alleged.
He argued he has actually helped to reduce violence in Caledonia by giving residents a chance to express their frustrations peacefully through his website, town hall meetings and demonstrations.
The former Richmond Hill resident moved to Binbrook last weekend.
During questioning, lawyer for the OPP Chris Diana suggested McHale was primarily motivated by a desire for media attention.
Crown prosecutor Mitchell Hoffman described the subpoenas as a "fishing expedition" and asked McHale to provide a more detailed account of what evidence he expects officers to provide.
The hearing is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning.
dborcea@thespec.com
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