Man charged in law office bombing case is having a hard time finding defense counsel
A man accused of sending letter bombs to two Canadian law offices and an auto repair shop where his ex-wife works is having a hard time finding an attorney to represent him in his criminal case.
Guido Amsel, 49, said at a Thursday court hearing he hadn’t been able to find a lawyer, CBC News reports.
Lawyers told the news agency they are concerned about their own safety and the safety of their staff. Some also say they are conflicted out because they have donated to a Go Fund Me effort to raise money to help fund expenses faced by the one person Amsel allegedly injured, attorney Maria Mitousis. She represented Amsel’s ex-wife in a long-running litigation battle for money he reportedly owes in a divorce settlement.
“It’s become clear he is having difficulty. There was an email sent out by a lawyer to all criminal lawyers asking if anyone wants to represent him,” said attorney Jay Prober, a criminal defense lawyer in Winnipeg.
Prober told Global News that Amsel might have better luck looking for counsel in another province.
“I would certainly advocate his right to have a lawyer, but certainly not me,” Prober said.
Related coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “Man is arrested in law firm bombing; Winnipeg police warn lawyers to watch for suspicious packages”
ABAJournal.com: “Divorce lawyer hurt by package bomb will return to work ASAP, bar president says”
CBC News: “Accused bomber Guido Amsel ordered not to contact ex-wife or Maria Mitousis”
Toronto Sun: “‘If all goes well, I’ll have to become left-handed,’ letter bomb victim jokes with police”
