SASKATOON – Eight men and four women will now decide whether Christopher Hahn is guilty of criminally harassing Saskatoon judge Shawn Smith. On Friday morning, the presiding trial judge, Ralph Ottenbreit, gave the jury their final instructions for nearly two hours.
Instructions from the judge included six essential elements for a conviction.
- Between 2009-2012, did Hahn watch or beset the workplace of Smith?
- Did Hahn have lawful authority to do what he did?
- Did Hahn’s conduct harass Smith?
- Did Hahn know his conduct harassed Smith?
- Did Hahn’s conduct cause Smith to fear for his safety?
- Was Smith’s fear reasonable in the circumstances?
During the two-week trial, court heard from several Crown witnesses including Smith who reported Hahn to police after a third poster campaign. Previous poster campaigns by Hahn had been reported to police by other members of the courthouse.
This after, a ruling made by Smith in family court in 2009 that wasn’t in Hahn’s favour.
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Hahn argued the posters were merely freedom of speech and the judge was never fearful of him. He also said in his defence he was never told he could not enter the courthouse and has no history of violence.
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READ MORE: Jury trial goes awry as Christopher Hahn represents himself
On Friday, Ottenbreit told the jury that despite accusations by Hahn the crown neglected to call certain witnesses or present evidence, it was not the case.
“There is nothing at this time to suggest anything inappropriate has taken place,” said Ottenbreit
Shortly after 11:00 a.m. all 12 jurors were excused and told to start deliberating.
Hahn has entered a plea of not guilty to the charge and decided to represent himself in court.
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