Bertuzzi pleads not guilty - The Orange Mane

Clockwork Orange · 08-26-2004, 09:57 PM

8/26/2004

VANCOUVER (CP) - Vancouver Canucks star Todd Bertuzzi spoke four crucial words in provincial court Thursday, his first public utterings since March when he tearfully apologized for his on-ice hit to Colorado player Steve Moore.

``Not guilty, your honour,'' Bertuzzi told provincial court Judge William Kitchen when asked for a plea to charges he assaulted Moore in a hit watched by millions near the end of the NHL season.

Bertuzzi, dressed in a grey pin-stripe suit and open-neck shirt, delivered the plea at a court appearance that lasted only 10 minutes.

He arrived in a black SUV along with his wife Julie and lawyer Len Doust and walked stone-faced through a throng of media who were kept back in a cordoned-off area by police and sheriffs.

His only statement in court were those four words before he left the way he entered - without speaking outside the court.

The 29-year-old star left-winger and the Canucks' highest-paid player was making his first appearance on the charge of assault causing bodily harm.

The Crown will proceed by summary conviction, which means there will be no preliminary hearing and the trial will be by judge alone. The summary conviction also means the maximum penalty Bertuzzi faces is 18 months.

The two sides return to court Wednesday to try to set a trial date.

Bertuzzi was charged June 24 after Moore suffered a concussion and broken neck during a game March 8 between the rival teams vying to capture the top spot in their division.

Avalanche spokesman Hayne Ellis said Thursday Moore's ``status is still unchanged and he's still (undergoing rehabilitation).''

``He has not been medically cleared for anything,'' said Ellis, adding that Moore, an unrestricted free agent, was dividing his time recently between Denver and Massachusetts for his rehabilitation.

At the Team Canada training camp in Ottawa, Avalanche captain Joe Sakic expressed regret that the case was going to court.

``In my opinion, I don't think it should be in the courts,'' said the Colorado captain. ``They should let the league handle it.''

Ed Jovanovski, another Team Canada player and a Bertuzzi teammate, also said the matter should have been left with the league.

``We're all supporting Todd. I've said from day one I think the league has done a good enough job policing the game and I think what Todd has faced is severe enough, missing the last handful of games and missing the payoffs.''

The incident occurred in the third period of Vancouver's 9-2 loss to Colorado. Bertuzzi charged up the ice, grabbed Moore's sweater from behind, then slugged him with a round-house punch. The two players fell, with the 245-pound Bertuzzi landing on top of Moore, ramming his face into the ice.

Besides breaking two vertebra in his neck, the 25-year-old native of Windsor, Ont., also sustained a concussion, facial lacerations and abrasions to the forehead, right cheek and upper lip.

A pool of blood formed around Moore's head. Medical staff rushed onto the ice and Moore was strapped onto a stretcher.

In a Feb. 16 game, Moore had caught Vancouver captain Markus Naslund with an open-ice hit which resulted in the Naslund suffering a concussion and missing three games.

Crown lawyer Garth Loeppky told court he would call several players as witnesses. League officials, medical staff and game officials will also be called.

Video evidence will be presented during the trial which is expected to last three weeks.

Criminal lawyers Troy Anderson and Michael Mulligan are not involved in the case but speculated Thursday on some of the witnesses.

When Boston Bruins enforcer Marty McSorley was on trial in Vancouver for assault with a weapon in a case involving former Canucks player Donald Brashear, the Canucks trainer, team doctor and coach Marc Crawford were among the Crown witnesses.

The charge against Bertuzzi suggests some specialists who examined Moore might be called, said Anderson.

``When you've got a case where they may be multiple, rather serious injuries you may need more medical evidence than simply the trainer or the team doctor.''

One or more of the game referees or linesmen could also be called, said Anderson. A linesman and referee testified in the McSorley trial.

Although Moore is still in rehabilitation, Mulligan said his condition will be raised at the trial.

The defence would be interested in knowing how he's doing because that may go to the issue of whether it's the appropriate charge and it would also have an impact if there was a conviction in terms of appropriate sentence, said Mulligan.

In the McSorley trial, there was no issue that McSorley had struck Brasher; the issue was whether Brashear and NHL players consent to a certain level of violence by playing the game.

That will be the issue again in the Bertuzzi case, said Anderson.

``One issue . . . that involves a sporting event is the level of violence that you are consenting to by playing the game. One issue I assume is going to be whether Mr. Moore consented to this level of violence by playing in the NHL.''

The judge also expressed concern that if a widely predicted labour disruption does not go ahead and the NHL hockey season proceeds as usual, that player witnesses could be ``scattered.''

Loeppky replied that was something the Crown would have to deal with.

Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely by the NHL after the incident in Vancouver and missed 20 games. The Canucks struggled in the playoffs without Bertuzzi and were upset by the Calgary Flames in the first round.

The plea came the same day as an American Hockey League player was charged with the same offence in a stick-swinging incident that left his opponent convulsing on the ice.

Police in Hamilton said the incident involving Hamilton Bulldogs forward Alexander Perezhogin ``crossed the line.''

-------------------------------

Good. I'm actually glad that Clodd is pleading not guilty. I want them to get Crawford, Burke, Naslund, May and others up on that stand and let them explain not only the incident that resulted in Moore's injuries, but the threats that were publicly lobbed at Moore beforehand along with the proclamation that there was a bounty on his head.

In case anyone needs a reminder, I present exhibit A your honor.

Still sickens me every time I see it. I hope they throw the book at that gutless mother****er.

Mtbrncofn · 08-26-2004, 10:13 PM

I'm actually surprised he didn't just give up and plead guilty. And what are the odds of him actually having to serve time if he was convicted? Next to none?

I was wondering about Steve Moore's condition. It's being kept pretty hush hush it seems to me.

I know this is probably a sappy girly thing, but it pains me to see his name on the FA list. A young up and coming player like him should have been re-upping his contract, but instead he now sits there not knowing if he'll ever even get to play again. What a shame.

Clockwork Orange · 08-26-2004, 10:27 PM

I'm no attorney, but I think that pleading not guilty has something to do with a possible civil suit. If Bertuzzi pleads guilty to the criminal charge, I would think that the civil suit would be a slam dunk and Bertuzzi would be forking over some serious $$ if Steve Moore is unable to play hockey again. That's just my speculation.

I can forsee a plea bargain coming, especially when you consider that Marty McSorley went all the way through a trial and was found guilty in the same province Bertuzzi is scheduled to stand trial in. I don't think Bertuzzi wants to go that route seeing as his actions caused much more serious injuries than McSorleys did.

I'd like to see Bertuzzi get on the stand and tell the prosecuter that he "didn't mean to hurt Steve Moore" only to see him introduce the comments of Bertuzzi & May made before that game in regards to Moore into evidence, followed by a tape of the attack from behind.....complete with scenes of Marc Crawford smirking until he saw the paramedics coming out to strap Steve Moore to a gurney and rush him off to the hospital.

Now tell us again how you didn't mean to hurt him you douche.

Mtbrncofn · 08-26-2004, 10:37 PM

I myself can't wait to see Brian Burke get up there and spew his biased sh*t right along with Bertuzzi, and try to make it look like some kind of accident. I can't believe that the Hockey News actually publishes that tripe he has been writing about the whole thing. It's the most biased POS I have ever read.

The Crawford smirking thing reminded me that the whole thing got a lot of air play today on ESPN news, and they kept showing Granato trying to get over there to Crawford. It still makes me smirk to think of what would have ensued had Granato and/or Tocchet have gone over to have a chat. Now that would have put a smile on MY face.

Clockwork Orange · 08-26-2004, 10:46 PM

If Tocchet had got his hands on Crawford he'd be on trial for murder right now.

Tredici · 08-27-2004, 07:03 AM

Too bad Todd can't bring in Steve Moore's sexual history....

Kid A · 08-27-2004, 03:54 PM

Bertuzzi is soon to announce his search for "the real mugger".

Clockwork Orange · 08-27-2004, 05:53 PM

Steve Moore has a degree from Harvard University.

Todd Bertuzzi can't spell Harvard University.

Get ready to get taken to the cleaners in civil court Todd, I hope you didn't spend too much of that fat contract extension just yet.

08-26-2004, 09:57 PM	#1
Clockwork Orange Persona Non Grata I seen him! Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,438	Bertuzzi pleads not guilty 8/26/2004 VANCOUVER (CP) - Vancouver Canucks star Todd Bertuzzi spoke four crucial words in provincial court Thursday, his first public utterings since March when he tearfully apologized for his on-ice hit to Colorado player Steve Moore. ``Not guilty, your honour,'' Bertuzzi told provincial court Judge William Kitchen when asked for a plea to charges he assaulted Moore in a hit watched by millions near the end of the NHL season. Bertuzzi, dressed in a grey pin-stripe suit and open-neck shirt, delivered the plea at a court appearance that lasted only 10 minutes. He arrived in a black SUV along with his wife Julie and lawyer Len Doust and walked stone-faced through a throng of media who were kept back in a cordoned-off area by police and sheriffs. His only statement in court were those four words before he left the way he entered - without speaking outside the court. The 29-year-old star left-winger and the Canucks' highest-paid player was making his first appearance on the charge of assault causing bodily harm. The Crown will proceed by summary conviction, which means there will be no preliminary hearing and the trial will be by judge alone. The summary conviction also means the maximum penalty Bertuzzi faces is 18 months. The two sides return to court Wednesday to try to set a trial date. Bertuzzi was charged June 24 after Moore suffered a concussion and broken neck during a game March 8 between the rival teams vying to capture the top spot in their division. Avalanche spokesman Hayne Ellis said Thursday Moore's ``status is still unchanged and he's still (undergoing rehabilitation).'' ``He has not been medically cleared for anything,'' said Ellis, adding that Moore, an unrestricted free agent, was dividing his time recently between Denver and Massachusetts for his rehabilitation. At the Team Canada training camp in Ottawa, Avalanche captain Joe Sakic expressed regret that the case was going to court. ``In my opinion, I don't think it should be in the courts,'' said the Colorado captain. ``They should let the league handle it.'' Ed Jovanovski, another Team Canada player and a Bertuzzi teammate, also said the matter should have been left with the league. ``We're all supporting Todd. I've said from day one I think the league has done a good enough job policing the game and I think what Todd has faced is severe enough, missing the last handful of games and missing the payoffs.'' The incident occurred in the third period of Vancouver's 9-2 loss to Colorado. Bertuzzi charged up the ice, grabbed Moore's sweater from behind, then slugged him with a round-house punch. The two players fell, with the 245-pound Bertuzzi landing on top of Moore, ramming his face into the ice. Besides breaking two vertebra in his neck, the 25-year-old native of Windsor, Ont., also sustained a concussion, facial lacerations and abrasions to the forehead, right cheek and upper lip. A pool of blood formed around Moore's head. Medical staff rushed onto the ice and Moore was strapped onto a stretcher. In a Feb. 16 game, Moore had caught Vancouver captain Markus Naslund with an open-ice hit which resulted in the Naslund suffering a concussion and missing three games. Crown lawyer Garth Loeppky told court he would call several players as witnesses. League officials, medical staff and game officials will also be called. Video evidence will be presented during the trial which is expected to last three weeks. Criminal lawyers Troy Anderson and Michael Mulligan are not involved in the case but speculated Thursday on some of the witnesses. When Boston Bruins enforcer Marty McSorley was on trial in Vancouver for assault with a weapon in a case involving former Canucks player Donald Brashear, the Canucks trainer, team doctor and coach Marc Crawford were among the Crown witnesses. The charge against Bertuzzi suggests some specialists who examined Moore might be called, said Anderson. ``When you've got a case where they may be multiple, rather serious injuries you may need more medical evidence than simply the trainer or the team doctor.'' One or more of the game referees or linesmen could also be called, said Anderson. A linesman and referee testified in the McSorley trial. Although Moore is still in rehabilitation, Mulligan said his condition will be raised at the trial. The defence would be interested in knowing how he's doing because that may go to the issue of whether it's the appropriate charge and it would also have an impact if there was a conviction in terms of appropriate sentence, said Mulligan. In the McSorley trial, there was no issue that McSorley had struck Brasher; the issue was whether Brashear and NHL players consent to a certain level of violence by playing the game. That will be the issue again in the Bertuzzi case, said Anderson. ``One issue . . . that involves a sporting event is the level of violence that you are consenting to by playing the game. One issue I assume is going to be whether Mr. Moore consented to this level of violence by playing in the NHL.'' The judge also expressed concern that if a widely predicted labour disruption does not go ahead and the NHL hockey season proceeds as usual, that player witnesses could be ``scattered.'' Loeppky replied that was something the Crown would have to deal with. Bertuzzi was suspended indefinitely by the NHL after the incident in Vancouver and missed 20 games. The Canucks struggled in the playoffs without Bertuzzi and were upset by the Calgary Flames in the first round. The plea came the same day as an American Hockey League player was charged with the same offence in a stick-swinging incident that left his opponent convulsing on the ice. Police in Hamilton said the incident involving Hamilton Bulldogs forward Alexander Perezhogin ``crossed the line.'' ------------------------------- Good. I'm actually glad that Clodd is pleading not guilty. I want them to get Crawford, Burke, Naslund, May and others up on that stand and let them explain not only the incident that resulted in Moore's injuries, but the threats that were publicly lobbed at Moore beforehand along with the proclamation that there was a bounty on his head. In case anyone needs a reminder, I present exhibit A your honor. Still sickens me every time I see it. I hope they throw the book at that gutless mother****er.

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08-26-2004, 10:13 PM	#2
Mtbrncofn Ring of Famer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bigfork, MT Posts: 8,558	I'm actually surprised he didn't just give up and plead guilty. And what are the odds of him actually having to serve time if he was convicted? Next to none? I was wondering about Steve Moore's condition. It's being kept pretty hush hush it seems to me. I know this is probably a sappy girly thing, but it pains me to see his name on the FA list. A young up and coming player like him should have been re-upping his contract, but instead he now sits there not knowing if he'll ever even get to play again. What a shame.

08-26-2004, 10:27 PM	#3
Clockwork Orange Persona Non Grata I seen him! Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,438	I'm no attorney, but I think that pleading not guilty has something to do with a possible civil suit. If Bertuzzi pleads guilty to the criminal charge, I would think that the civil suit would be a slam dunk and Bertuzzi would be forking over some serious $$ if Steve Moore is unable to play hockey again. That's just my speculation. I can forsee a plea bargain coming, especially when you consider that Marty McSorley went all the way through a trial and was found guilty in the same province Bertuzzi is scheduled to stand trial in. I don't think Bertuzzi wants to go that route seeing as his actions caused much more serious injuries than McSorleys did. I'd like to see Bertuzzi get on the stand and tell the prosecuter that he "didn't mean to hurt Steve Moore" only to see him introduce the comments of Bertuzzi & May made before that game in regards to Moore into evidence, followed by a tape of the attack from behind.....complete with scenes of Marc Crawford smirking until he saw the paramedics coming out to strap Steve Moore to a gurney and rush him off to the hospital. Now tell us again how you didn't mean to hurt him you douche.

08-26-2004, 10:37 PM	#4
Mtbrncofn Ring of Famer Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Bigfork, MT Posts: 8,558	I myself can't wait to see Brian Burke get up there and spew his biased sh*t right along with Bertuzzi, and try to make it look like some kind of accident. I can't believe that the Hockey News actually publishes that tripe he has been writing about the whole thing. It's the most biased POS I have ever read. The Crawford smirking thing reminded me that the whole thing got a lot of air play today on ESPN news, and they kept showing Granato trying to get over there to Crawford. It still makes me smirk to think of what would have ensued had Granato and/or Tocchet have gone over to have a chat. Now that would have put a smile on MY face.

08-26-2004, 10:46 PM	#5
Clockwork Orange Persona Non Grata I seen him! Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,438	If Tocchet had got his hands on Crawford he'd be on trial for murder right now.

08-27-2004, 07:03 AM	#6
Tredici Ring of Famer Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 10,010	Too bad Todd can't bring in Steve Moore's sexual history....

08-27-2004, 03:54 PM	#7
Kid A Ring of Famer I don't need love. I just need wins Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 4,665 Adopt-a-Bronco: Rahim Moore	Bertuzzi is soon to announce his search for "the real mugger".

08-27-2004, 05:53 PM	#8
Clockwork Orange Persona Non Grata I seen him! Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,438	Steve Moore has a degree from Harvard University. Todd Bertuzzi can't spell Harvard University. Get ready to get taken to the cleaners in civil court Todd, I hope you didn't spend too much of that fat contract extension just yet.