Judge reserves ruling on whether to release Mayor Rob Ford video to lawyers

ABOVE: Judge reserves his decision on releasing so-called crack video. Sean Mallen reports. 

TORONTO – Justice Ian Nordheimer is now the latest person to have viewed a video of Mayor Rob Ford smoking what could be crack cocaine.

The Ontario Supreme Court judge is presiding over a case where lawyers for Mohammad Khattak, a man seen posing with the mayor in a widely published photograph, argue their client’s reputation has been harmed by being associated with the video.  In the photo, Ford is seen posing with Anthony Smith, who was later shot and killed, as well as Khattak and another man outside of an Etobicoke home.

The lawyers had requested they be allowed to view the video to see whether their client, who was charged in the Project Traveller raids, is in the video. They also wanted to determine who made the recording.

The video was brought to court by a police officer on an encrypted, password protected hard drive.

After viewing, Nordheimer reserved his decision on allowing the lawyers to do so as well.

READ MORE: Continuing coverage of the Rob Ford scandal

Nordheimer is also expected to rule this week whether remaining parts of a document that shed light on Ford’s relationship with Alexander Lisi, an alleged drug dealer who is also his friend, can be released.

Ford’s crack cocaine scandal will remain a hot topic at city hall where councillors are set to vote on a motion Wednesday to ask the mayor to take a leave of absence.

During a media scrum Tuesday morning, Councillor Doug Ford said his brother will get a “public flogging” tomorrow at the council meeting.

He also said the mayor is “getting support he needs” with regards to the personal problems he’s facing.

Last week, Ford dropped a bombshell that he has in fact smoked crack cocaine in the past.

Back at city hall, Mayor Ford’s official bobblehead went on sale today. The item sells for $20 with proceeds going to the United Way.

-with files from The Canadian Press