Chief on trial for sexual assault of child attacked outside court: lawyer

A trial for a First Nations chief accused of sexually assaulting a young girl was abruptly adjourned Monday morning after his lawyer told court her client was assaulted outside the courthouse.

Christopher Traverse, who is listed as the current chief on Lake St. Martin First Nation’s website, has pleaded not guilty to sexual assault, possessing and creating child pornography, and sexual interference.

“On my client’s way to court this morning, he was the victim of an assault outside of the courthouse,” defence lawyer Candace Olson told provincial court Judge Stacy Cawley.

Olson said Traverse was injured and that two suspects were arrested by police.

“Because of that, he is going to follow up with police,” Olson said. “He needs some time and isn’t in a physical position to be with us in court.”

A Winnipeg Police Service spokesperson later confirmed police are investigating an assault outside the Law Courts building.

“We are continuing to investigate the matter as all parties are being identified and spoken to,” Const. Dani McKinnon said in an email to the Free Press.

Crown attorney Boyd McGill agreed in court that the trial could not proceed.

“There’s no way we can proceed in these circumstances, with Mr. Traverse in that condition,” McGill said. “I’ve heard everything third-hand, but my understanding is the assault is connected to this matter.”

McGill said he would notify Sheriff Services about putting additional security measures in place when the trial resumes on June 24.

During a recess in the trial last week, and outside the presence of the judge or lawyers, Traverse and a male supporter or member of the alleged victim’s family had a heated exchange of words. The incident briefly threatened to turn physical before a court clerk threatened to call for a sheriff’s officer.

The reported assault was only one reason for the adjournment. Olson also said she needs additional time to review a late Crown disclosure connected to a cellphone seized by police.

Olson declined further comment outside court.

A Manitoba Justice spokesman confirmed that sheriff’s officers intervened in the assault.

“All courthouses have robust court security programs in place,” the spokesperson said. “Sheriff Services reviews security requirements on an ongoing basis and enhancements are made as needed, based on threat/risk assessment.”

Such assaults remain rare, said a spokesman for the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba.

“This is an anomaly,” said defence lawyer Chris Gamby. “I can’t remember a time since I’ve been practising where something like this has occurred.”

Gamby said an accused concerned they might be a target of violence can reduce opportunities for conflict by arriving at court early or using an alternate entrance.

Sheriff’s officers screen courthouse visitors for weapons and officers are a visible presence throughout the building, Gamby said. But they can’t be everywhere at once.

“You could be walking through the courthouse without necessarily having a sheriff’s officer standing right next to you at any given moment, and even if they were, if someone wants to come up and sucker punch somebody, they can’t necessarily prevent all occurrences.”

On a video played for court last week, the then-eight-year-old alleged victim told a police investigator she was watching television when Traverse put her over his shoulder and carried her to the bathroom “like someone was kidnapped.”

She amended her statement in court, saying Traverse pulled her by the hand to the bathroom.

The girl said Traverse told her to pull her pants down. When she didn’t comply, Traverse pulled her pants down himself, touching her vagina before taking a picture with his phone, she said.

The girl said Traverse deleted the picture and then used her cellphone to take another picture, which he “forgot” to delete.

Traverse told her not to tell anyone what happened, she said.

“I shut my mouth,” she said. “I thought I would get in big trouble if I told.”

The girl said her mother later discovered the picture on her cellphone.

dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca