As planned, Tony is in court today. Hopefully he’s not going back to into jail but you never know … you’ll know more when I do.
Philip
Archive for the 'justice' Category
On trial
February 20, 2008Respect for the opinions of mankind
June 10, 2007
TONY
“Did you see that story about Paul Bernardo; he’s up on another charge. And that other one, Homolka, she got away with murder. Now she’s out and I think she’s even got a kid. She was there killing those girls too and she’s not paying for it. She’s just scum, just like he is. The justice system screwed up that one if you ask me.”
Dad, could you spare me?
May 30, 2007
PHILIP
“Tony, I’ve meaning to ask you this for a while: What’s your earliest memory?”
TONY
“I remember when I was 5 years old, my Mom would sometimes put us in the ‘cold room’ in the basement for punishment when my sister and me had been bad. I remember once when she was angry at us — I can’t remember what it was about — so we went into the cold room. Then my Dad sneaks in, he surprised the heck out of us and he gives us each dime, so we could crawl out of the little basement window and go to see a movie. I can’t remember the movie at all but I’m pretty sure we saw it twice and we probably got some popcorn too like we always did. Then after we snuck back through the window to the cold room. Of course, when she let us go later, my Mom asked us if we’d learned our lesson and of course we said we did and I think probably we even behaved properly after that and Mom never found out.”
Update on Tony after his car accident
February 27, 2007
Feb 27 — 12 pm
1) It happened at noon yesterday at the SE corner of Lansdowne and Dundas. He was dragged 3 feet beneath the car. And he was riding his bike “home” following his court hearing (more about which later).
2) Tony’s mangled bike is being held at 14 Division. “That bike saved my ass.”
3) The scene was witnessed by several firefighters from firefighters (from 426 Division), who — incredibly — happened to be driving their truck right behind the car that hit Tony. “As far as I’m concerned, the guys from 426 are the best in the city.”
4) Tony’s left leg has very severe bruising and ligament damage (at minimum). “The pain is bad. It’s from my ass to my ankle. I’m on Tylenol 3’s and I need to get working on a place to sleep until my leg gets better. Plus I need a smoke.”
5) His out-of-pocket costs arising from the accident: $85 for the leg brace (to be paid this week); $20 for the crutches (payable today); $25 prescription (also payable today).
The good judge
February 9, 2007
TONY
“I never told you about Judge Chamberlain. She was the best judge I ever met.
“See, when I was 13, I got sent up to the boy’s training school for 6 months because of truancy and that sort of thing. It wasn’t too bad there; I learned some stuff, and at least I didn’t have to live at home. Home was a bad mess.
“So after my 6 months was up, I got out and went before this judge, Judge Chamberlain. I asked if she could just send me back to training school since I sure didn’t want to go back home. So she sent me back to training school for 9 more months, and I got my chef’s certificate so I could cook in restaurants and cafeterias. So when I got out, I went back to her courtroom and I thanked her, right there in the courtroom. She even came down from the bench and gave me a really big hug.
“You know, there’s some pretty good judges out there.”
———
Update on Tony: He’s in the Don Jail for another 5 days, at least. His health is better (and he’s warm and fed), but he did seem pale and a bit low key when I visited him yesterday. There are further court dates coming up. Alice Barton, a lawyer with Derstine Penman, is helping Tony out. Tony wanted to pass along his thanks to everyone who’s expressed support.
Homeless Man Speaks 