Manitoba

Accused Winnipeg bomber Guido Amsel to plead not guilty, lawyer says

Guido Amsel finally has a lawyer who says the accused Winnipeg bomber intends to plead not guilty to the charges against him.

Amsel charged with three counts of attempted murder, one of aggravated assault and several more

Accused Winnipeg bomber Guido Amsel to plead not guilty, lawyer says

9 years ago
Duration 1:48
Guido Amsel finally has a lawyer who says the accused Winnipeg bomber intends to plead not guilty to the charges against him. CBC's Nelly Gonzalez reports.
Lawyer Martin Glazer speaks to reporters outside the Winnipeg courthouse in this Nov. 14, 2013, file image. (CBC)
Guido Amsel finally has a lawyer who says the accused Winnipeg bomber intends to plead not guilty to the charges against him.

Amsel, 49, has had trouble finding a lawyer to represent him, after he allegedly sent explosive packages to two legal offices in the city.

But on Thursday, Winnipeg defence lawyer Martin Glazer said he will represent Amsel, who denies the allegations against him. Glazer sent a statement to CBC News in which he said police "have no direct evidence against [Amsel]" and that the case "appears to be built on assumptions."


Statement from Martin Glazer

As lawyers we stand on guard to protect the constitutional rights of all people, regardless of what they may be accused of. Mr. Guido Amsel has the same rights as anyone else charged with a crime.

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.

Mr. Amsel remarried ten years ago.  He is a devoted husband and loving father. 

He 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.

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. 

Mr. Amsel has instructed me that he will be pleading not guilty.  I intend to provide a vigorous defence in accordance with his instructions.


Earlier in the day, police announced a third attempted murder charge has been laid against Amsel, along with a number of weapons related charges for a loaded gun seized from his home.

The newest attempted murder charge is in connection to an explosive device detonated July 5 at a law office on Stradbrook Avenue. Police said the reason the new charges weren't laid until now is because Amsel was already in custody so investigators had the luxury of taking their time.

The list of new charges includes:

  • Attempt murder.
  • Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
  • Unlawful possession of explosives.
  • Possession of a weapon with intent to cause bodily harm.
  • Storing a firearm contrary to regulations.

Amsel was already been charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of aggravated assault and several charges relating to the possession of explosives.

Three women were the targets of attacks earlier this month in which bombs were rigged through grey recording devices and sent through the mail, according to court documents.

Lawyer Maria Mitousis, 38,  lost her right hand and badly hurt the left while opening one of those packages on July 3 at her River Avenue office. She also suffered injuries to her face, chest and thighs and underwent 12 hours of surgery.

Mitousis used to represent Amsel's ex-wife, Iris Amsel, in divorce proceedings that began in 2004.

A package intended for Amsel's ex-wife was detonated by police July 4 at a business on Washington Avenue. No one was injured.

The third bomb was detonated by police near the law office of Orle Bargen and Davidson on Stradbrook Avenue on July 5. The lawyer who represented him in the divorce proceedings used to work there but no longer does.

The search of Amsel's home happened July 6. Police seized a loaded rifle and ammunition.