Toronto

Ontario Liberals accused in gas plants trial decline to call evidence in their own defence

After a judge rejected their request for a directed acquittal, two top Liberal aides accused of destroying government documents have opted to present no evidence in their own defence.

Judge rejected a request from accused for a directed acquittal earlier this month

David Livingston was chief of staff to former Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty in 2012 and 2013. He and his deputy Laura Miller, not pictured here, are accused of ordering the destruction of data. (CBC)

The two former senior political aides charged at Ontario's gas plants trial will call no evidence in their defence.

Lawyers for David Livingston and Laura Miller told the trial judge today they will instead make final submissions on Nov. 22.

They said they made the decision after considering the judge's ruling in which he rejected a request for a directed acquittal.

Livingston and Miller, top aides to former Liberal premier Dalton McGuinty, have pleaded not guilty to illegal use of a computer and attempted mischief to data.

Laura Miller was deputy chief of staff to former Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty. She is facing charges of attempting to commit mischief to data and the unauthorized use of a computer. (CBC)

The charges relate to the alleged deletion of computer records about the government's decision to cancel two gas plants ahead of the 2011 provincial election.

The defence lawyers said they expected about five hours of final submissions.