Winnipeg lawyer identified as victim of law office explosion

[spaminator]

'If all goes well, I'll have to become left-handed,' letter bomb victim jokes with police
Maria Mitousis says she's getting better
Postmedia Network
First posted: Friday, July 10, 2015 12:53 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, July 10, 2015 03:33 PM EDT
WINNIPEG — Maria Mitousis lost a hand, nearly lost her other hand, and suffered significant injuries to her face, thighs, and upper body when she opened a mail bomb in her Winnipeg law office last week. But while she admits having some down moments, she’s also upbeat and optimistic about her future.
She released a statement Friday, though her family lawyer and police.
"I want people to know I'm OK, and I'll be better," Mitousis said, adding she looks forward to resuming her career as a lawyer. "I'm doing great, but I'm not doing great. I have lots of support from friends and family, I wouldn't have this positive outlook without this support.
"I'm not going to stop."
As she was being rushed to hospital, she recalled being provided reassurance from paramedics.
"(I recall thinking) I'm going to get past this, I live in the moment. I'm going to get past this," she said.
Mitousis needed more than 10 hours of surgery.
"If all goes well, I'll have to become left-handed ... "And I was just recently getting quite good at golf," police employee Kelly Dehn said Mitousis told her.
She thanks paramedics, police and also the legal community for their support, as tens of thousands of dollars have been raised via a GoFundMe page has been donated to aid Mitousis' recovery — much of the money coming from fellow lawyers.
She had no words yet, however, for Guido Amsel, 49, who has been accused of sending the mail bomb.
He faces two counts of attempted murder and a variety of other charges.
Mitousis worked as the lawyer for Amsel's ex-wife in two suits between the former couple.
Police tracked down and safely detonate two other letter bombs, which contained a voice recorder filled with explosives.
Those letters were intended for Amsel's ex-wife and his former lawyer, police said.
Amsel's next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
'If all goes well, I'll have to become left-handed,' letter bomb victim jokes wi

 

[eh1eh]

Maybe it's just me but I read this story about a 35 year old woman who just went to work on a Friday morning and before lunch she lost her hand and, from the sounds of it, part of her face and chest. What she does for a living, does it really matter? I get lawyer jokes and all but to me, this is a violent and brutal act. Quite a horrific one.

People can be stupid bunts. Compassion and empathy should override petty prejudices but alas, the internet does not promote decent behavior.
So smoke your little smoke, drink your little drink, try to make sense of the things that think.

 

[spaminator]

Garage owner joked about package being bomb, shook it
One of three bombs that detonated in Winnipeg
THE CANADIAN PRESS
First posted: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 09:40 AM EDT | Updated: Tuesday, July 14, 2015 09:55 AM EDT
WINNIPEG -- When the owner of Ollie's Garage got an odd package in the mail about two weeks ago, he joked with his co-workers that it might be a bomb.
Ollie Ehrmantraut says he was shocked to learn that's exactly what it was -- one of three bombs detonated in Winnipeg between July 3 and 5.
Ehrmantraut says the soft, white package was addressed to his garage but with his friend Iris Amsel's name on it.
He says one of his workers ended up taking the package to the woman's workplace, another automotive shop a short distance away.
However, because she was on vacation it sat untouched on her desk for three days.
Amsel's ex-husband, Guido Amsel, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and other charges related to an explosion that injured his ex-wife's lawyer, Maria Mitousis.
Ehrmantraut said Monday that when the package first arrived, he and his co-workers shook it around their ears, wondering what it was.
"We were laughing actually about the handwriting (on the package) because it looked like something a little kid wrote," Ehrmantraut said. "Then we thought ... maybe it's a bomb or something."
Ehrmantraut said he is grateful he didn't pay more attention to the package or open it.
"I've got two kids, family, friends, we've got a lot going for us," he said. "That would have been a bad way to go out."
He said when he heard about the bombing that injured Mitousis, he contacted Iris Amsel and sent her a picture of the package.
She told him not to open it and to call police. The bomb unit arrived and detonated the explosive in her automotive shop and though no one was hurt, the blast left a hole in the roof.
"It could have been me getting blown up," Ehrmantraut said. "There was enough (explosives) there to blow our heads off. All four of us would have been decapitated if it would have been in the middle (of the shop)."
The bomb unit later also detonated another package sent to a law firm that used to represent Guido Amsel.
The Amsels divorced in March after a messy, 10-year legal battle.
Ehrmantraut said he was friends with the couple for 15 years, a relationship that began when he worked for them as a mechanic in their previous automotive shop on Raleigh Street.
The men used to practise target shooting together with home-made explosives, Ehrmantraut said, adding that Guido Amsel was always very careful.
"He's very respectful about rules and properties, and here's the line, you stay behind the line -- safety first and glasses on and don't forget your ear protection," Ehrmantraut said.
He also said his friend seemed very protective of his mail.
"It was a very particular thing -- you don't touch anybody's mail," Ehrmantraut said. "He would flip out if you touched his mail.
"If you're nice to (Guido), he's nice to you -- would give you the shirt off his back. He will help you in any way. He helped me in more ways than I can explain, but he has the oddest way of going about things."
He said Iris Amsel is in good spirits and has returned to work.
Garage owner joked about package being bomb, shook it | Canada | News | Toronto

 

[spaminator]

Lawyer plans ‘vigorous defence’ of alleged bomber Martin Glazer takes case, says Guido Amsel innocent


By David Larkins, Winnipeg Sun First posted: Thursday, July 23, 2015 10:43 AM EDT | Updated: Thursday, July 23, 2015 07:10 PM EDT
Story Highlights

• Friday, July 3: Maria Mitousis is severely injured after opening a letter while inside her office at the Petersen King law firm on River Avenue. Monk Goodman — Mistousis’ former law firm — is briefly evacuated as a precaution.
• Saturday, July 4: The police bomb squad detonates a letter at an East Kildonan business where Iris Amsel works. By the end of the day, police have taken Guido Amsel — Iris’ ex-husband — into custody.
• Sunday, July 5: Police detonate another package at a law firm on Stradbrook Street while other locations — including Guido Amsel’s Pandora Avenue home in Transcona — are searched. Police announce Amsel had been arrested, then hours later confirm he had been charged with two counts of attempted murder, as well as numerous other offences. Police warn the city’s legal community to be wary when opening their mail for the next few days, as there might be more letter bombs.
• Monday, July 6: City Hall is briefly evacuated amidst concerns about suspicious packages. A couple of Canada Post depots are also searched by police. By the end of the day, word emerges that the bomber had packed explosives inside tape recorders. Also, it’s revealed that Iris Amsel’s home had been the scene of an explosion 18 months ago. No charges have been laid in that case.
• Tuesday, July 7: A local postal union head says numerous carriers refused to deliver mail to law firms on Monday, for fear of what they might be handling. And the president of the Manitoba Bar Association says Mitousis is recovering faster than anticipated.
• Wednesday, July 22: More charges laid against Amsel, including: attempted murder, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, cause an explosive substance to explode with intent to cause bodily harm, unlawful possession of explosives, store firearm or restricted weapon contrary to regulations.

The new lawyer for a man accused of sending explosives to multiple locations says his client will be pleading not guilty.
Winnipeg defence attorney Martin Glazer confirmed Thursday he had taken on Guido Amsel as a client. His confirmation came the same day police announced a slew of new charges against Amsel, who is accused of trying to vanquish his enemies — his ex-wife, her lawyer, and his lawyer — with mail bombs. One detonated in the law offices of Petersen King, seriously injuring Maria Mitousis, who represented Amsel’s ex-wife in multiple court case.
“Mr. Amsel remarried 10 years ago. He is a devoted husband and loving father,” Glazer said, in an email. “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, Winnipeg police announced the added charges — including one for attempted murder — for Amsel at a press conference.
Amsel was already facing two counts of attempted murder and multiple explosive-related charges.
In addition to the third attempted murder charge, police announced Amsel is also facing a count of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, causing an explosive substance to explode with intent to cause bodily harm, unlawful possession of explosives, and illegally storing a firearm or restricted weapon.
Police said they seized a loaded rifle and ammunition during a search of Amsel’s Pandora Avenue home on July 6.
“There is a ton of investigation that goes on in the background before charges are laid,” Winnipeg police Const. Eric Hofley said, in addressing why it took nearly three weeks for further charges to be laid.
Hofley said the investigation is closed, as it relates to the three explosive devices found at Jackson King on July 3, at a business on Washington Avenue the next day and, a day after that, another law firm on Stradbrook Avenue.
“I believe investigators have exhausted all avenues and the charges that Mr. Amsel faces are the ones that Mr. Amsel will continue to face,” Hofley said. “That’s not to say that further information might come to light down the line, which would require investigators to make further charges. But, at the time it’s my understanding that the investigation is complete.”
Full 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.

david.larkins@sunmedia.ca
Guido Amsel, 49, appeared briefly in court on Thursday. (Winnipeg Police Service handout)

​

Lawyer plans ‘vigorous defence’ of alleged bomber | Canada | News | Toronto Sun

 

[spaminator]

Letter-bomb suspect stays locked up — for now
Judge delays decision after day-long hearing.
By Dean Pritchard, Winnipeg Sun
First posted: Thursday, August 27, 2015 11:55 AM EDT | Updated: Thursday, August 27, 2015 07:10 PM EDT
A bail hearing for accused bomber Guido Amsel will resume Sept. 2.

Judge Heather Pullan heard a full day’s worth of submissions Thursday before adjourning the hearing shortly after 5 p.m.

Details of the hearing cannot be disclosed under terms of a publication ban. The Crown is opposing Amsel’s release.

Amsel, 49, is accused of sending letter bombs to the workplaces of his ex-wife, her lawyer, and his lawyer. One detonated in the law offices of Petersen King, seriously injuring Maria Mitousis, who represented Amsel’s ex-wife in multiple court cases.

Amsel arrived in court in a blue suit jacket and a loose red tie, which defence lawyer Martin Glazer quickly adjusted.

“I’ve said all along the Crown has no case,” Glazer said outside court.

Amsel is “anxious to get home and be with his children,” Glazer said. “This is all a nightmare for him, a man with no record who maintains his innocence. It’s a travesty of justice to keep someone like that in jail.”

The courtroom was crowded with several supporters, including Amsel’s current wife, who wept and was comforted by others in the front row as Amsel was brought into the courtroom. She shook her head periodically as the details of the case were discussed.

Amsel is facing more than a dozen criminal charges in the July 3 explosion, including three counts of attempted murder.

Mitousis underwent 12 hours of surgery for injuries to her upper body and thighs. She is no longer in hospital but faces a long recovery. She has said she plans to return to work.

— With files from the Canadian Press

dean.pritchard@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @deanatwpgsun

Letter-bomb suspect stays locked up — for now | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
Letter bomb suspect Guido Amsel is seeking bail. (Winnipeg Police Service handout)