I don't like the fact that the Irving Journalist didn't write all the facts on this case!!!!
This was the story in the Irving Paper on December 2th -
Courts
Panhandler gets prison time for robbery, assaults
DON MACPHERSON Fredericton Daily Gleaner
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December 2, 2014
Michael Joseph Gaudet, 57, is shown in this security still image. He was sentenced to prison time Tuesday on robbery and assault charges.
A Fredericton man who robbed a pharmacy of prescription painkillers, who assaulted a local blogger because he didn’t like him recording all the time and who assaulted a rival panhandler was handed a 38-month prison term Tuesday.
Michael Joseph Gaudet, 57, of no fixed address was back in provincial court Tuesday to hear a judge’s decision on sentence for several crimes he committed.
Gaudet previously pleaded guilty to robbing the Regent Street location of Shoppers Drug Mart of a quantity of prescription painkillers on Aug. 12, breaching a judicial undertaking as a result, and assaulting two men, one on May 9 and another May 18.
The sentencing hearing began last week, but it was set over to Dec. 2 because the Crown noted victim-impact statements in the assault cases hadn’t been ordered or sought.
One of the assault victims – controversial blogger and social activist Charles LeBlanc – specifically expressed the desire to file one, and he was present for the sentencing hearing last week.
However, when the hearing resumed Tuesday, Judge Mary Jane Richards noted no victim-impact statements were filed despite being ordered.
LeBlanc wasn’t present for Tuesday’s proceedings.
The judge noted the robbery consisted of Gaudet demanding drugs from pharmacy staff and threatening to hurt someone if he didn’t get what he wanted. He made off with $9,000 in pharmaceuticals.
Richards said the two victims who filed impact statements in that case indicated they were now nervous at work and worried about being robbed again.
One of the women wrote she “had no doubt that Mr. Gaudet would’ve hurt her,” the judge said.
The court also previously heard that Gaudet was annoyed with LeBlanc because he felt the blogger had filmed him against his wishes.
Furthermore, the May 18 assault consisted of Gaudet punching and kicking a man he felt had taken his rightful panhandling spot at Tim Hortons on King Street.
The Crown had sought a three-year prison term for the robbery but an additional month each for the breach and the assaults.
Richards agreed those were fitting sentences, but to consider the sentencing principle of totality, which dictates sentences for multiple offences shouldn’t be overly onerous, she imposed a global prison term of 38 months.
She also noted the sentence is to be reduced to account for time Gaudet has already spent in custody since mid-August.
Richards also prohibited Gaudet from possessing firearms for 10 years following his release from prison and ordered him to submit a DNA sample for inclusion in a national criminal database.
The judge imposed mandatory victim-fine surcharges totalling $600, and Gaudet opted to serve the consecutive default time of six days rather than pay them.
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This is my letter to the editor that has been denied -
I must reply to the story your Paper made on the Court Session of Mike Gaudet.
To the Editor,
On May 9th...I had a huge fist fight with well known Panhandler Mike Gaudet. I didn't enjoyed being spat on so I went to the Police.
On October 30th Mr. Gaudet changed his plea to not guilty. He told the Court some lies about what truly happened. The sad part was I wasn't in that room to defend myself.
On November 24th, I showed up for the trial and he once again changed his plea to Guilty.
The Prosecutor Ed Derrah began explaining to the Court what happened.
He told the Court - Mr.Gaudet didn't appreciate being filmed by Mr. LeBlanc on the day in question.
The Judge told the Court sentencing will happen in 20 minutes. I quickly approached Edward Derrah and told him - That's a lie!! I never filmed Mike Gaudet.
The Duty Counsel answered – “I don't have to talk to you” and walked away!!!
I told the Lawyer that I would make a complaint to the Law Society! I have made over 10,000 videos and never filmed Mike Gaudet!
The court staff knew I was upset so once the Judge walked in Court the prosecutor told the court they need a victim-impact assessment.
To make a long story short. The worker contacted me for a Victim-impact assessment. He told me that I cannot tell the court that the Duty Counsel was lying. I could only say that I haven't been the same since he spat on me.
I am a victim but I felt more victimized by Edward Derrah because I had no right to counter his lies.
On Dec 2, your paper quoted - One of the assault victims – controversial blogger and social activist Charles LeBlanc – specifically expressed the desire to file one, and he was present for the sentencing hearing last week. However, when the hearing resumed Tuesday, Judge Mary Jane Richards noted no victim-impact statements were filed despite being ordered.
I didn't bother to file one because I wasn't allowed to counter the lies being told by Ed Derrah in Court. I didn't bother making a complaint to the Law Society but I would suggest that Mr. Derrah polish his manner in the Courts! At the sentencing hearing the judge also repeated the untrue statements of what Mr. Derrah had said, that I had been filing and photographing Mr. Gaudet.
P.S. The public should have listening device so the public can hear the going on in the Courts. Better yet, let’s have our court proceedings on Television.
