Man accused of sending letter bomb to Winnipeg lawyer waits for bail decision

By Chinta Puxley, The Canadian Press

WINNIPEG – A man accused of sending a letter bomb that severely injured a Winnipeg lawyer will have to wait a little longer to hear if he will be released on bail.

A day-long hearing Thursday was not long enough to hear all the arguments in Guido Amsel’s case. It is scheduled to resume Sept. 2.

Martin Glazer, Amsel’s lawyer, said his client is innocent and anxious to get home to his two young children.

“One of his children’s birthdays is next week. He’s anxious to get back to work,” Glazer said outside court Thursday.

“This is all a nightmare for him, a man with no record who maintains his innocence. It’s a travesty of justice to keep someone like that in jail.”

Amsel is facing more than a dozen criminal charges in the July 3 explosion, as well as charges related to other explosive devices disposed of by police at two other Winnipeg law firms.

The charges include three counts of attempted murder.

Lawyer Maria Mitousis lost a hand and suffered other serious injuries in the blast.

Amsel wore a dark suit and sat passively during the bail hearing. Details are covered by a publication ban.

His current wife wept and was comforted by supporters in the front row as Amsel was brought into the courtroom. She shook her head periodically as the details of the Crown’s case were discussed.

The Crown said it would oppose Amsel’s release. The 49-year-old has been in custody since July 5.

Police allege Amsel was targeting his former wife and the lawyers who were involved in a lengthy legal dispute between the couple.

Mitousis underwent 12 hours of surgery for injuries to her upper body and thighs. She is no longer in hospital but faces a long recovery. She has said she plans to return to work.

Another bomb was sent to an auto repair shop where Amsel’s ex-wife works. A third went to a law firm Amsel had hired in a legal battle with his former wife over money from a business the couple owned.

Court documents detail a bitter divorce between Amsel and his ex-wife, Iris.

Records show Amsel appeared to drop his legal battle earlier this year. He withdrew accusations that his former wife had stolen money from the company and agreed, after years of denial, that he owed her $40,000.

Amsel agreed to auction off vehicles and equipment to pay her. The auction was scheduled for eight days after the first letter-bomb exploded, but was postponed.

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