Brazeau vows to return as assault case put off to June

Lawyers for Senator Patrick Brazeau asked the Crown Friday for more information in his assault and sexual assault case and later told reporters Brazeau was "adamant" he would return to his job.

Hours later, a tweet posted on Brazeau's Twitter account vowed the senator would prove his innoncence.

"I will fight these charges against me to prove my innocence. I shall return!" the tweet to an account named TheBrazman said.

Gérard Larocque and Michel Swanston, Brazeau's lawyers, appeared on his behalf in a Gatineau, Que., court Friday morning. Brazeau was not required to attend, and the case was put off until June 10.

Brazeau was charged Feb. 8 with assault and sexual assault, one day after he was arrested in a Gatineau home. Friday was his next scheduled court appearance.

Brazeau has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

It's not unusual for cases to face delays during preliminary proceedings.

Crown prosecutor Sylvain Petitclerc said he doesn't know what other information the lawyers could need.

"I have no idea for the moment what could be missing in their eyes. It's a slightly ambiguous situation on the part of Maître Swanston and Maître Larocque," he told reporters at the courthouse.

'Contest vigorously'

Petitclerc says the police report and complainant's statement were provided to the defence on Feb. 12. The name of the complainant cannot be disclosed under the terms of a court-ordered publication ban.

"They've not even told me what they're asking for. They will think about it and they will send me a letter in a few days," Petitclerc said, adding that it's not unusual for the defence to say the evidence isn't complete in their eyes.

"It's a possibility," that the defence is trying to buy time, he said.

Swanston made a brief statement in French and in English, telling reporters he won't argue the case in the media.

"[We] are appalled by the fact that a version of facts is already circulating and that [it's happening] before the trial has commenced," he said.

"As to Senateur Brazeau, he is weathering this storm with his family and would appreciate that we respect his privacy during this instance. He is adamant to return to his functions after this situation has passed to represent the interests of Canadian citizens before the Canadian Senate."