No bail decision for Guido Amsel, accused Winnipeg bomber

Guido Amsel, the Winnipeg man accused in a mail bombing that seriously injured a 38-year-old female lawyer last month, will have to wait at least until September to find out if he will be released on bail.

Following a day-long bail hearing, the judge overseeing the case said no decision will be made Thursday. The hearing is scheduled to resume on Sept. 2.

Amsel, 49, is charged with three counts of attempted murder, one count of aggravated assault and a number of other weapons and explosives charges related to a series of blasts in early July.

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Amsel allegedly sent explosives to two law offices and another location. His lawyer, Martin Glazer, has said his client intends to fight the allegations.

Glazer plans to seek bail for his client, who he claims is "anxious to get home and be with his children."

He also said keeping Amsel behind bars is unjust.

"This is all a nightmare for him, a man with no record who maintains his innocence," Glazer said. "It's a travesty of justice to keep someone like that in jail."

Glazer said he thinks imposing various conditions on Amsel, like wearing an ankle bracelet and posting at least $100,000 for bail, are reasonable demands.

The Crown has said it will oppose Amsel's release.

It was standing room only inside a Winnipeg courtroom for the hearing as it began at 10 a.m. Thursday.

Amsel wore a dark suit and sat passively during the bail hearing. Details are covered by a publication ban, so only the outcome can be reported.

His current wife wept and was comforted by supporters in the front row as Amsel was brought into the courtroom.

Lawyer Maria Mitousis, who at one time represented Amsel's ex-wife, lost her right hand and was badly injured when a package mailed to her exploded on July 3.

A series of other explosive devices were detonated by police after the incident, and Canada Post offices and other locations were evacuated over the course of several weeks after the explosion that injured Mitousis.