Crown says no evidence of political interference in Mark Norman case
OTTAWA — Crown prosecutors have pushed back against suggestions of political interference in Vice-Admiral Mark Norman’s criminal case, saying there is no evidence to support such allegations.
The suspended military officer’s lawyers have alleged the case against their client is politically motivated and want access to documents held by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office to prove it.
Crown attorney Mark Covan said Monday during the fourth day of a five-day pretrial hearing that a narrative has emerged that the RCMP, its investigation and the prosecution have been tainted by political machinations.
“There’s a suggestion being made throughout media articles — and there’s been a suggestion made here in this courtroom — that somehow the Crown has been influenced or under the suggestion of political forces,” Covan said.