Hearing for suspended London police officer derailed
A hearing for a London police officer facing several charges of misconduct never got underway Wednesday.
In August, Const. Stephen Williams pleaded guilty to seven other charges of misconduct in connection with incidents between 2016 and 2019.
The current hearing is in regards to charges that include the alleged sexual assault of a woman.
The hearing was scheduled to start at 10 a.m. Wednesday but was delayed until 2:30 p.m. when it was learned that Williams went home claiming to be sick.
Prosecutor David Migicovsky says, "This process is being manipulated by Const. Williams, he has used the COVID card...It's very obvious what's going on."
He continued, "Quite frankly I don't believe he is unvaccinated...I see someone who is playing games with all of us."
But Scott Hutchison, Williams' lawyer, says "He is lying in bed too sick to attend...The reality is he is at home right now lying in bed."
However, the prosecutor claims that Williams wanted a two-week delay in the proceeding and when he didn't get it he walked out of police headquarters.
Migicovsky added it is a challenging situation for others involved, "In regards to the alleged sexual assault I have a witness who is in an extremely stressful situation."
The hearing has been rescheduled to 10 a.m. Thursday, and if Williams cannot make it in person he may be asked to attend virtually, though his lawyer says illness may prevent that.
Williams has been suspended with pay since 2017.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.