WATCH: More charges laid against alleged letter bomber Guido Amsel.
WINNIPEG – Guido Amsel faces a third charge of attempted murder in connection with several letter bombs sent to Winnipeg addresses, including one that seriously injured lawyer Maria Mitousis.
Amsel is accused of mailing letter bombs to Mitousis and his ex-wife, who was one of Mitousis’s clients. The new charges are related to a third letter bomb, which was sent to the law offices of Orle, Bargen, Davidson, where Amsel’s former lawyer used to practice.
READ MORE: Guido Amsel seeking lawyer from out of province
“We’re glad there’s been a charge and that the authorities are taking this seriously,” said Victor Bargen of Orle, Bargen, Davidson.
They didn’t know about the new charges, he said, but they’re pleased to hear the news.
“We’ve gone through counselling in our office,” Bargen said.
READ MORE: Lawyer hurt in bomb blast shows resilience, humour, expresses thanks
After difficulty finding a lawyer, Amsel has been able to retain defence lawyer Martin Glazer.
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Glazer confirmed to Global News he will be representing Amsel and in a written statement to media wrote, “He has the right to a lawyer of his choice and the right to a fair trial. Mr. Amsel’s case will be decided in court, not by the media. Informed members of the public understand and respect the law which guarantees Mr. Amsel’s rights and cloaks him with the presumption of innocence.”
Glazer says “Amsel denies these allegations which remain unproven and untested. There is no confession and in fact Mr. Amsel denies the accusations made against him. Based on the information received so far the police have no direct evidence against him. The case appears to be built on assumptions and circumstantial evidence that has an innocent explanation.”
He says Mr. Amsel remarried ten years ago. He is a devoted husband and loving father. Mr. Amsel has no criminal record, is 49 years old, a taxpayer and successful businessman with an excellent reputation in the community with the people he has serviced in his business.
Glazer continued saying, “Mr. Amsel has instructed me that he will be pleading not guilty. I intend to provide a vigorous defence in accordance with his instructions.”
family lawyer Mitousis was seriously injured when a bomb exploded in her hands at the Petersen King law office on July 3. She lost a hand and suffered serious injuries to her chest, face, thighs and other hand.
The other two bombs were detonated July 4 and 5 by the police bomb unit and didn’t injure anyone, although one caused property damage to Amsel’s ex-wife’s business.
WATCH: Winnipeg police confident there are no further explosive devices following law firm incident.
Amsel, 49, was already charged with two counts of attempted murder, aggravated assault and multiple explosives-related crimes.
The new charges against Amsel are:
- attempted murder;
- possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose;
- causing an explosive substance to explode with intent to cause bodily harm;
- unlawful possession of explosives; and
- storing a firearm or restricted weapon contrary to regulations.
WATCH: Winnipeg police say lawyer injured in bombing earlier this month is ‘an amazing woman.’
— With files from Lorraine Nickel
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