Watch above: Jurors in the Christopher Hahn case were excused several times as court proceedings went awry. Accused of criminally harassing a judge, Hahn has decided to take the law into his own hands, literally, and represent himself. Global’s Meaghan Craig reports.
SASKATOON – A jury of 12 spent their day being shuffled in and out of a Saskatoon courtroom on Thursday. Jurors in the Christopher Hahn case were excused several times as court proceedings went awry.
The judge often dismissed the group so he could clarify and remind Hahn the rules of the law.
Hahn, who is accused of criminally harassing a judge, has decided to literally take the law into his own hands and represent himself.
It means for two weeks, courthouse staff as well as a Saskatoon judge will finding themselves in unfamiliar territory, on the stand providing witness testimony with the accused asking the questions.
Hahn is accused of harassing the judge and distributing posters following a family court ruling by Justice Shawn Smith in 2009 that didn’t go Hahn’s way.
On Thursday, court heard from a deputy sheriff.
Testimony was interrupted a handful of times, with the jury made up of eight men and four women asked to leave each and every time, as Hahn failed to follow proper courtroom procedures.
Criminal lawyer Kevin Hill was observing it all.
“My focus is trial fairness and it’s really I’m not an advocate for Mr. Hahn at all. I’m essentially aiding the court, the judge in some of the legal issues that crop up to assist him in making rules that don’t compromise any fairness issues given that he’s self-represented,” said Hill.
While you don’t have to pay for a lawyer if you defend yourself, you often have no idea what you’re doing.
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“There’s just some rules of court, the processes for introducing documents for instance, the kinds of questions that can and can’t be asked, all sorts of evidentiary issues that can come up,” explained Hill.
That’s why experts say if you’re considering representing yourself, don’t.
“It’s not ideal, it would be better not to if at all possible I would suggest,” said Hill.
“These matters can be quite complicated and it’s a good idea to create a good impression for the jury and sometimes a lack of ability legally speaking can interfere with that.”
This will mark the second harassment trial for Hahn. The first ended after the judge declared a mistrial when Hahn held up a poster for jurors to see.
Hahn has also been in trouble with United States law enforcement.
In 2002, Hahn was arrested after he broke into the DreamWorks compound in an attempt to meet Steven Spielberg. A United States judge at that time granted Spielberg a restraining order for three years against Hahn, requiring him to stay 150 yards away.
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