New trial ordered for anti-poverty activist

A Superior Court justice has declared a mistrial in a case against an anti-poverty activist.

The Crown used news video clips to show a demonstration by the accused, Bill Clennett. He was charged with public mischief last year for defacing the Langevin Block, which houses the Prime Minister's Office.

Clennett had thrown balloons containing red paint against the building, saying the paint symbolized the blood of homeless people who had died on the street.

The judge ruled that the video tape of the demonstration was inadmissible because Liberal House Leader Don Boudria made prejudicial comments to the reporter who prepared the story.

Clennett savoured the decision in a bar in downtown Hull. "I'm just coming down a little bit. It has been quite a ride so far and it's not over yet, so I'm just waiting for the next step."

That next step will be taken in April when a new trial date is set.

The Crown prosecutor, George Dzioba, says he still plans to use parts of the video tape because it does capture Clennett defacing the building.

"Because of the judge's direction, I guess the Crown will edit out those parts which the judge thought were perhaps prejudicial or perhaps did not form part of the evidence."

Dzioba says he took a chance entering the tape as evidence.