WATCH ABOVE: Winnipeg judge to decide whether man accused of mailing bombs to wait behind bars for trial. Guido Amsel is accused of sending three separate bombs. One packaged arrived at a lawyer’s office – and a woman lost her hand. The other two packages were intercepted by police. Lauren McNabb reports.
WINNIPEG — Guido Amsel blew kisses to his wife, and waved at supporters across the courtroom, as he was escorted back to prison where he will spend another week in custody before finding out whether or not he is to be freed on bail.
The accused letter bomber will appear in court for a fourth time on Sept. 9 when the judge give her decision. Amsel’s first appearance was Thursday Aug. 27, the second on Sept. 2 and the third on Friday.
It’s a process that’s clearly taken it’s toll on his wife, who cried as lawyers for both the crown and defense made their final submissions.
She is just one of several Amsel supporters who gathered in the courtroom, among them, a man who said he was a family friend.
“I think it’s taking too long,” Frank Otulak said. “I think next week we will have a good decision.”
Amsel’s lawyer has repeatedly said his client is not guilty. Outside the courthouse Friday, he took it a step further.
“He doesn’t want to become another wrongful conviction statistics, such as David Milgaard, Guy Paul Morin, Thomas Sophonow, Driskell,” Glazer said. “I’m sure if he sits in jail for many years, he is going to feel like Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter, may he rest in peace, who was totally innocent.”
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RELATED: Bail decision for alleged Winnipeg letter bomber expected Friday
Amsel is accused of sending several explosives in the mail earlier in the summer, one of which severely injured his ex-wife’s divorce lawyer. He’s been charged with three counts of attempted murder.
There have been a number of bomb threats since then, none of them have contained explosive devices.
“I think the public should be alarmed. We have said continually Amsel is innocent and the real bomber is out there,” Glazer said.
When asked if the number of scares are more likely the result of heightened awareness, Glazer said “I think some of it is heightened awareness…but how do you account for the number of them. ”
READ MORE: Winnipeg letter bombs hidden in voice recorders: police
WATCH: Winnipeg police bomb unit detonates explosive device at law firm in Winnipeg in early July
The bail hearing is under a publication ban, but Amsel’s lawyer, Martin Glazer, told media he will be asking for Amsel to be released on the conditions he wear an ankle monitoring bracelet and his wife put up a $100,000 surety.
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