All charges against Michael Bryant dropped

TORONTO – All charges against Former Ontario attorney general Michael Bryant have been dropped.

Crown prosecutors withdrew all charges Tuesday morning saying there is no reasonable chances of a conviction.

In court, lead prosecutor Richard Peck told the judge evidence that had surfaced since the day cyclist Darcy Allan Sheppard died has made a conviction more difficult.

“There was a series of incidents where he aggressively and violently went after some motorists in the months leading up to this fatal encounter,” he told 680News.

“Our conclusion is that Mr. Bryant had been attacked by a man who unfortunately was in a rage,” Peck said outside court. “In such circumstances he was legally justified in attempting to get away. The case could not be proved.”

“Had we had an opportunity to have seen this material, we probably wouldn’t have laid charges.”

In a lengthy address to the court Tuesday, Peck said Sheppard had about twice the legal limit of alcohol in his blood according to the post-mortem toxicology test.

He also provided details of other incidents between Sheppard and drivers, four of which happened the same month as the Bryant incident.

Police alleged the 33-year-old bike courier died after grabbing onto a car in downtown Toronto following an altercation with the driver, Bryant.

Sheppard’s death caused an outcry by the cycling community.

Bike couriers to stage a protest on Bloor Street near Bay where Sheppard died, blocking traffic in both directions.

Outside the courthouse Sheppard’s father said while he wasn’t happy with the result.

“I don’t know what would have made me happy.” said Sheppard “The people who made the decisions, they heard me, they listened to me, they talked to me with great respect. They reached a decision that I’ll accept.”

In regards to the statements on his son’s behaviour leading up to the accident, he said “if I had been presented with that evidence, I wouldn’t have insisted on a trial”.

Bryant was charged with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous driving in connection with the death of Sheppard.

The former attorney general said it was a terrifying 28 seconds, where he felt “terrified, panicked, wondered how Susan (his wife) and I were suddenly in this situation.”

“I obviously wish that none of it had happened …. none of it,” he told 680News. “I certainly have gone back and thought about ‘if you could have done something different, what would you have done?’ and I said, ‘I never would have left the house that night’.”