Oshawa lesbians accused of using slur
TORONTO NEWS / Couple tries to keep faith in process during tough week
Cate Simpson / Toronto / Friday, March 26, 2010
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The trial of Mark Scott, who is charged with assault after an altercation involving an Oshawa lesbian couple, took a combative turn this week.

A witness for the defence accused Jane Currie and Anji Dimitriou of using racial slurs against Scott during the incident. Defence lawyer Mark Jacula also called on the couple’s neighbour, Diane Campbell, who alleged that Currie and Dimitriou have used racist and threatening language against her and her family in the past. Scott has not yet taken the stand.

Currie and Dimitriou may yet be called to the stand again and so are prohibited from sitting in court during other witness testimonies.

Given the turn the case has taken, Currie says she is uncertain about the outcome.

“I think Paul Murray, the Crown Attorney, is fantastic at his job,” she says. “And he is clinging tenaciously to this process for us. I think he’s going to stick with this right to the end.”

A status hearing is due to take place on March 29, at which time the judge may opt to move the next scheduled date forward.

Stay tuned for more coverage on Xtra.ca.


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Reader Comments


 
So what?
A defense witness who was called to the stand at the trial of Mark Scott, a black man, of Jane Curry and Anji Ditmitio who alledgedly witnessed the lesbian couple making racial epithets against the man who assaulted them has actually helped the Crown's case. The witness indicated she saw Mark Scott, a black man, assault the 2 lesbians by punching them in the face. The witness indicated that she heard sexually derogatory remarks made against the lesbians and then begn his rein of violence against the two. It was after the assualt she indicated that she heard one of the lesbians make the comment, "you fucking niggers, that's why no one likes your kind." Although such comments are offensive made against any minority it does not give some one the right the use violene to solve their issue. Mark Scott, a black man, was charged with 2 counts of assault causing bodily harm, which the defenses witness admitted happened. It is not a crime to call some one a nigger, although it is socially unacceptable. What is unacceptable is using sexually derogatory remarks followed by an assault because of the someone's sexual orientation, not because some one MAY have made inappropriate comments after they were beaten by a large 6'2 220lb black man. Thank you to the defense witness for helping the crowns case in confirming there was an assault made by Mark Scott, a black man, against the two lesbians. he fact of the mater is, two lesbians were attacked because they were lesbians and that is what Mark Scott, a black man, is charged with. Done deal!
Ray ollingham, Ajax Ontario
03/27/10 3:47 AM EST
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Why is it that you continue to refer to Mark Scott as a black man? I'm sure we understand that he is black, unless of course you're emphasizing your opinion of black people. Last I checked, racist slurs are not only socially unacceptable, it is still considered a hate crime. I may not have much information about this case, but in no way is calling anyone discriminatory (whether it's gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, age, or race) acceptable and excusable on anyone's part. Violence is also not the way to solve a dispute.
brent, ottawa ontario
03/31/10 4:04 AM EST
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