The effort to catch the ringleaders responsible for plotting G20 mayhem has involved two undercover officers, eight police services, millions of dollars and more than two years of investigation and prosecution. But on Tuesday, it all came to an abrupt halt with a plea deal between the Crown and 17 people charged with conspiracy during the June 2010 summit. As a result, 11 defendants are walking free and the six others have pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. The longest jail sentence will be 16 months.
So how did this happen?
Talks of a plea deal were set in motion by just one of the defendants, according to a source familiar with the case.
On Sept. 12, the group began an 11-week preliminary hearing. According to the source, during the first week, the defendant asked his lawyer to float a plea deal with the Crown.