Accused bomber Guido Amsel denied bail for 2nd time
Amsel faces 5 charges of attempted murder stemming from explosion at Winnipeg law office, other incidents
A man accused of attempted murder via mail bombing has been denied bail for a second time.
Guido Amsel has been charged with five counts of attempted murder, as well as an array of explosive and weapons-related offences.
Lawyer Maria Mitousis lost her right hand and suffered multiple injuries after a package exploded at her office.
Last month, additional charges were laid against Amsel in relation to a 2013 explosion.
Amsel sought bail on the charges but was denied in September and remains in jail.
He appealed that provincial court ruling to the Court of Queen's Bench, but on Thursday afternoon, that appeal was denied.
Justice Chris Martin said in his ruling the previous judge "did not err in law," and made an appropriate decision on bail.
Martin said the provincial judge was justified in denying Amsel bail, "despite many factors in his favour."
Martin also expressed concern over how long Amsel had already spent in custody — about 10 months.
"He anticipates it will be about another 12 to 14 months at the earliest before he has his trial. I confess to be perplexed and concerned about this," Martin said in his ruling. "In the meantime, I cannot see that either side has pushed for hearing dates to be set."
Martin said "systemic constraints" will always lead to some delay, but he said, "I urge Mr. Amsel and the Crown to get on with it."
He said the decision to hold Amsel in custody until his trial "does not signify he is guilty, and it does not ignore his constitutional rights."
Finally, Martin said, the bail denial was made apart from new charges stemming from a 2013 incident, though "those matters add significantly to finding that a detention order is required on either or both grounds."