Week One of the Mike Duffy trial is now in the books. We break down the first week of proceedings and its political implications with the CBC's Terry Milewski, Radio-Canada's Emmanuelle Latraverse, the former law clerk of the House of Commons Rob Walsh, and the Senate's longest-serving member Anne Cools.
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Suspended senator Mike Duffy leaves the first day of his fraud and bribery trial in Ottawa, Tuesday April 7, 2015. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)
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The House22:22In House panel - April 11th
The first week of the highly-anticipated trial of Mike Duffy is now in the books. The suspended Senator is facing 31 charges of fraud, breach of trust and bribery.
The strategies for both the Crown and the defense have now become pretty clear. The Crown is attempting to prove that Duffy broke and took advantage of the Senate's rules, even arguing the former broadcaster was not eligible to represent PEI in the upper chamber in the first place.
The defence is building its case on the fact that the Senate's rules are vague and that Mike Duffy should not be held responsible for that. Lawyer Donald Bayne is also making it a habit to bring up the Prime Minister's Office as often as possible... with the occasional photograph thrown in the mix.
This photo of Stephen Harper and Mike Duffy at a 2009 event where the prime minister gave an update on the economy was entered as evidence by Duffy's lawyer Thursday. Harper signed the photo, "To Duff, A great journalist and a great senator. Thanks for being one of my best, hardest-working appointments ever!" (PMO Photo/CBC)
The CBC's Terry Milewski, Radio-Canada's Emmanuelle Latraverse, the former law clerk of the House of Commons Rob Walsh, and the Senate's longest-serving member Anne Cools help us break down the first week of proceedings and the potential political impact of the case.
Here's the full interview with Rob Walsh.
The House11:27Interview - Rob Walsh
The former law clerk of the House of Commons, Rob Walsh, discusses some of the more interesting factors around the Duffy trial so far.
Here's the full interview with Anne Cools.
The House14:17Interview - Senator Anne Cools
Senator Anne Cools gives her thoughts on the Duffy trial and discusses how the trial is affecting the mood and climate in the Senate.
