Armed security officials keep close eye on accused
Aug 21, 2008 - 04:20 PM
By Jennifer Stone
PETERBOROUGH -- Stanley Tippett was back in a Peterborough courtroom Thursday, amid heightened, heavily armed security.
Though Mr. Tippett’s lawyer, Mike McLachlan, said he wasn’t aware of any specific threat against his client, the Peterborough courtroom in which Mr. Tippett appeared was guarded outside by heavily armed police officers. Bags and purses were searched and anyone entering the courtroom had to submit to being searched with a hand-held metal detector.
This was Mr. Tippett’s fourth appearance in court but the first time such security was evident.
Details of Mr. Tippett’s appearance in court, including any evidence entered during the bail hearing, are restricted under a publication ban.
The 32-year-old Peterborough man, who faces charges including sexual assault and kidnapping for allegedly abducting and assaulting a 12-year-old Peterborough girl who was left behind Courtice Secondary School in early August, consented to be held in custody until his next court hearing, set for Sept. 24.
He was granted permission Thursday to speak with his wife Natalie and his five children, all of whom Mr. Tippett had previously been barred by court order from communicating with, directly or indirectly.
Outside the courthouse, his lawyer alluded to the media coverage that has surrounded Mr. Tippett’s tale, which beyond the alleged kidnapping and assault has included allegations of a double life being led by Mr. Tippett who not only has a wife, but also a mistress.
“Mr. Tippett is not going to be tried in the press, in bedrooms or in barrooms,” Mr. McLauchlan said. “He is going to be tried in a court of law.”
The lawyer appeared to dodge questions of whether he felt Mr. Tippett could receive a fair trial in Peterborough, where his case has received intense media attention at the local and national level.
“We’re going to seek to have his trial held in Carrot River, Sask.,” Mr. McLachlan said.
Asked if he was being facetious, the lawyer said only, “Next question, please.”
But he did ask anyone with information on the case to contact a Lindsay-based private investigator, Mark Hale.
Mr. Tippett will next appear in court Sept. 24, by video from Lindsay jail.
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