Former attorney general is cagey about his future
Toronto Sun
26 May 2010
By DON PEAT, Toronto Sun
Michael Bryant goes out for a run on the boardwalk a day after criminal charges against him were dropped. (STAN BEHAL/Toronto Sun)
A day after his criminal charges were dismissed in the death of a cyclist, Michael Bryant was back in the running … along Toronto’s beaches.
Sun photographer Stan Behal, out shooting photos of Torontonians dealing with the record-setting heat, snapped a bare-chested Bryant, 44, jogging along the boardwalk in the Beach before noon on Tuesday.
It was the antithesis of the media circus that surrounded the former attorney general a day earlier at Old City Hall where charges of criminal negligence causing the death of Darcy Allan Sheppard and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death were withdrawn by the outside prosecutor brought in to handle the case.
Bryant, wearing his hat backward and earphones, was running alone in the hot sun and 30C-plus temperatures.
Realizing he was caught on camera, Bryant, a lawyer and former St. Paul’s MPP, stopped and chatted with Behal for a few minutes.
He told him the ordeal has been tough on his family, Behal said.
Later in the day, Bryant declined an interview request through a spokesman at the public relations firm Navigator.
Whether Bryant will be running for any political office in the future is a lingering question from his criminal case.
At the press conference called after his court appearance Tuesday, Bryant didn’t rule out a political future.
“To be honest, I haven’t really thought about much other than getting through this experience one day at a time … and I don’t know what the future holds,” he told reporters. “I do know that I’ve got some legal bills to pay and that I will be going back to work.”
But University of Toronto professor Nelson Wiseman said Bryant must think he has a political future.
“He had a press conference,” Wiseman said. “Why else would he have a press conference?”
Former Liberal strategist Warren Kinsella said Bryant will have a political future if he wants it, but for now he’s doing “what he should be doing” and focusing on his family.
“He’s a capable guy … he’s pretty popular among Liberals, he has never had difficulty getting elected,” said Kinsella, who admits he’s biased because he has worked with Bryant.
“He can bounce back from just about anything. He’s one very bright and dedicated individual.”
don.peat@sunmedia.ca
Your Comments
rod Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 8:18am
All of you listen to the SPIN DOCTORS …. and just go on believing what they want you to hear !!.
SHEEP !!
Ordinary Folk Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 8:15am
@ Rod:
Are you crazy? As much as I don’t like politicians, Mr. Bryant did what any one of us would have done……anything to get that insane loony-toon off my car and away from me.
He is NOT a murderer and I’m sure he’s not sleeping very well at night. I wouldn’t either after an encounter with a psycho.
He shouldn’t have to watch his back – he didn’t do anything that would deserve it.
Linda Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 8:13am
It’s a very good thing that people can post anonymously. The poor grammar, spelling and, mediocre ramblings of some posters is embarrassing to read. And it always seems to be those that side with Shepherd. You people will never get anywhere in life. You will rage against the machine and rail at the unfairness of it all, never realizing you signed the agreement with your fate, as did Shepherd. Successful people don’t blame others. They take responsibility for their destiny, set goals, and strive to achieve them, even against the odds. If you think like a loser, you will lose.
wayne Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 8:11am
People. when a guy attacks you threatening your life and you try to get away. DO YOU GO BACK TO SEE IF HE”S OK. LMAO. No you call the police and let them. Which is exactly what Bryant did. then he waited for them. submitted to an alcohol test and came up ZERO. Video proved everything Bryant said. ZERO LIES. Proved drunk guy cut him off for no reason. stood in front of his car threatening life. He tried to get away and the nut continued to attack and was finally foiled when he hit a fire hydrant. Later evidence found out this was Has 4th similar incident in the day. 2 Earlier calls had the Drunk released, NO CHARGES. bryant was Ward Cleaver on a date and attacked by JASON and now he is condemned. God people hate others for their job title.
Observer Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 8:09am
Good for Mr. Bryant. I’m glad to see he is able to recover. Not only attacked by a dangerous loon but attacked in the media by some very strange people who if it were black would say it were white. Reminds me of “To Kill a Mocking Bird”
rod Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 8:09am
MR. BRYANT …. YOU ARE STILL A MURDERER & A POS!!!. HOW DO YOU SLEEP AT NIGHT ??.
WATCH YOUR BACK … you obviously pissed allot of people off !!!!!
wayne Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 8:04am
Student. The past they bring up is earlier that day and previous day. He was out attacking people. Video evidence of it and two calls to police that day on it, one from his girlfriend. He deserved it becasue it was his own fault. It was an accident caused by him. He didn’t deserve the death penaty if thats what you mean. He deserved the consequences of his own actions. He flirted with death all day. The flirtation ended in what he was flirting with. Bryant Shouldn’t have his life or career ruined because of someone elses irresponsible actions. In fact this case proves how responsible Bryant is. On his anniversary, no drinking what so ever. Tried to get home early to be with kids. not in the spotlight he was Ward Cleaver. Go figure.
Ordinary Folk Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 7:37am
@ werenotdone:
For pete’s sake – take a night course in english. Do you speak this way too?
Ordinary Folk Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 7:30am
By all means, run for office Mr. Bryant. You fit right in with the rest of the blood-sucking, bottom-feeders currently in place.
When the federal “Reform” party burst onto the scene, I was hopeful that FINALLY we may get a just, honest and sincere representation. Bwah-ha-ha-ha!
Joke was on us!
sharon Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 7:27am
David Tanko was waiting to turn left onto Adelaide St. W. when the shirtless bike messenger charged at his BMW’s open window.
The cyclist was shrieking, swearing, then latched himself onto the driver’s side door, his arms stretched into the vehicle, grabbing at the steering wheel.
Tanko, the man behind the wheel of the BMW, said Sheppard came at him for no apparent reason. âœI’m sitting in my car, the guy comes and starts screaming at me,â he said
Good riddance to bad rubbish
Tim Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 7:24am
I still don’t see how he can ram someone from behind and not get charged with something.
And don’t you think that might have something to do with the guy being enraged?
Johnnybuck Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 7:22am
ENOUGH OF POOR MICHAEL BRYANT. I predicted at the outset he would get off of the charges and other person in this province would not have been given the opportu ity to have there named clear so quickly. Just another blood sucking former politician. Find some news!
PJM Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 7:20am
Bryant, should focus solely on his career in law for the present. While the balance of justice favoured the dropping of all criminal allegations against him, I’m not all that certain his momentary fall from political and public grace has been forgotten ; and only grudgingly forgiven. On the surface the former McGuinty cabinet minister may appear to have re-established his personal creditability with Ontario voters, but given as we are to suspicion of the rich and famous a certain stigma of mistrust ,favoritism , and unsettling opinion remains in the air. After all he remains linked to the accidental death of another. Some questions raised at the time and involving Bryant’s treatment by the police remain unanswered. None will be.
stu dent Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 7:10am
People using the dead guys past as reasons why he deserved to die is no different than saying a woman deserves to be raped because of her sexual past. They made it illegal to do this in court and I don’t think anybody would disagree. So why is it ok to bring up this guys past and use it as excuses as to why he deserved to die?
grenadier Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 7:06am
to wererenot done: But YOU are. Your English is atrocious and your opinion is just as bad.
GET A LIFE!
rob Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 7:04am
i do think he got off or who he is not the facts.if anyone i know used a pole or firehydrant to scrape off a unwanted person from there car window they would be going to trial.A car is a weapon they would be told .he wasnt in a dark laneway all by himslf in Iraq!
.
Good Dog Owner Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 6:57am
I just hope he gets attacked by a Black Lab so he can ban them to!!!!!!
wayne r Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 6:38am
i can see both sides….but life changes on a dime….he is a small guy his wife was in the car…i believe he was scared….and thus just wanted to get away from sheppard….and did so in a frantic way…..and thats why i think the crown let him walk….
Jack Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 6:36am
Of course he should run again! One less drunken abusive nuisance gone from Toronto streets is not a great loss,it could have even happened to Gary Morton,orwerenotdone who I suspect are bike riders,by the way werenotdone your keyboard keeps messing up on you.
Rob Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 6:29am
@ Bronco. How about you try and be nice, watch the video and then talk out of your ass. Cheers. P.S. Just remeber if it was you driving that car and killed that Shepherd your ass would be some jailbirds love hole
Social Mange Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 6:26am
The photo accompanying the article made me wanna yak.
Social Mange Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 6:25am
Should Bryant run again?
No.
Geoff M. Stead Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 6:25am
WERENOTDONE,s message is plain scary. Obviously not holding a doctorate in English, and extremely bitter/angry about something. Hope Michael Bryant has what it takes to ignore messages like this. We out here don’t all think like WERENOTDONE Michael.
werenotdone Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 6:09am
what is going on here he shud of gone to prision he killed someone ,yes he killed someone !!! yes it was an accident ,manslaughter.comeone people (canadians) who the help is running the circus .and this guy thinks he is going to run for anything !! your done!!just another JOHN TORY !! fulled with him self thinking he really means something to the people ,remember what the people did to him we removed his look at me i say nicey nice words and all good warm thoughts for the people . he got no where ,they say michael is smart ,no he just has friends.in high places .but soon the people will take his cape too ….LETS TAKE THIS ONE DOWN SOON PUT HIM IN PRISON NOW
Dave C Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 5:32am
One has to question what kind of man he really is considering the fact he left a dead or dying man in the street and fled the scene.. He previous to this incident seemed to be a person who loved to be the center of attention. He liked to be recognized in public which would lead one to believe he was rather arrogant. Whatever he was,in the eyes of a lot of the public he is now the guy who fled the scene of a deadly hit and run and a coward. The fact that he got away with it and walked away free and then holds a news conference only indicates he is still a arrogant individual lavishly praising his legal team for getting him off..Bottom line ,He has no balls and is not worthy of holding any public office in the future.
Bronco Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 5:14am
Fuck off Gary Morton! If your such a tough guy that you want to take on a redskin all hopped up on fire water, go to the reservation and try to rip off some cheap smokes!
gary morton Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 4:52am
Bryant is all muscles and PR. With his money and connections he beat the charges.
One troubling fact remains: he didn’t have the guts to take the keys out of the ignition and deal with Mr.Sheppard until the police arrived.
His criminal negligence in driving off with Sheppard hanging on the door left the man crushed and dead against a pole. The lives of innocent pedestrians were endangered by his cowardice.
Many others of lower income have been convicted for lesser offenses and now probably won’t get a pardon from the Tories.
It shows how our legal system is one for the rich and a jail cell for the poor.
Bryant knows in his heart that he panicked, ran and killed. He can run but he can’t hide from his conscience and those of us who know
drew Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 1:55am
Wow, this guy has one great PR firm…..between the current Star article demonizing Sheppard and this fawning Sun article it’s unbelievable how the media is trying to control public opinion about this person and spin him into some kind of martyr.
lamia gibson Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 1:39am
I am disgusted that Bryant got off scott free. He will live with the truth inside of him, knowing he is responsible for the death of Darcy Sheppard. we, the people, know the truth, even if the courts don’t rule it to be so.
Rob Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 12:54am
@mike paloka. Finally someone with some common sense to actually watch the video before commenting. Bryant got away with something that would put any other joe in jail even if the victim was a convicted rapist
Rob Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 12:50am
He can run if he wants to, personally i couldnt care less about what happened in this case with the unruly bicyclist, but i hope if he does run he gets sent to a resounding defeat along with rest of Mcguintys buffons!!
mike paloka Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 12:32am
.Now I have to admit I am no fan of Toronto bikers,as they seem to break every traffic law on the books as they scream about car drivers.But after watching the video ,it seems clear that Darcy is guilty of typical biker aggressiveness in his driving habits,but is also at a complete stop in front of the car.It is also clear that the car rammed him while he was stopped and appears to be attempting to flee the scene at which point Darcy grabs onto the car and is dragged.Now there seems to be conflicting stories about the incident and as I’ve said I don’t have much sympathy with your average reckless biker,but one thing I have learned going through life is you are far better off seeing things with your eyes and not your ears.
Dave Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 12:21am
Whatever you think of Bryants guilt or innocence, lets not forget the fact that he drove into the oncoming lanes and slammed the clingon into a mail box killing him on the spot then carried on driving!
TMM Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 12:14am
I would treat pit bulls like a handgun. It would have to be registered and any offence/attack would result in the owner being subject to the exact same fines/convictions as a handgun offence. Of course I realize that likely 98% of “pit bulls” are docile but the potential is there to kill, same as a handgun. It can be harmless when used legally yet kill when not used legally. Your dog gets loose and injures someone, you get charged and go to jail. Simple really.
@TMM Report Comment
May 27th 2010, 12:01am
“How can you say a breed is more prone to attack…”
I didn`t say that.
The OVMA Testimony does NOT say those 4 Breeds are more prone to attack.
It says they were the 4 most common biters causing injuries severe enough to require medical treatment in that Study which is the ONLY Bite Study in Canada BTW.
Common and prone are not the same thing.
There is no National Bite Registry.
But you are right.
You would have to have total populations.
Breed attributions would have to be accurate.
‘pit bull’ is not a Breed so you couldn`t compare ‘pit bulls’ to Real Breeds.
They are at least 3 Breeds and anything that anyone calls a ‘pit bull’ due to looks.
And how would you account for mutts and cross breeds even if you had all that other info?
TMM Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:45pm
Of course the dumbassed cyclist is equally responsible for his own demise, that’s not the point here. Should Bryant have defended himself and his wife, absolutely. Again that’s not the point here. The point is he fled the scene. As a lawyer and Attorney General I’m pretty sure this guy knows the law. Once he had slammed the idiot and killed him he didn’t have to run anymore. The guy was dead. At that point you park and call the cops without moving, full stop. Tell me something, how do you think this would have unfolded if it had been Mike HArris at the wheel of a large SUV who had killed this guy? I’ll tell you what would have happened………..GUILTY AS CHARGED !!!!!!
NotHisCousin Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:45pm
I heard he diddled his cousin…
democracy vs police sate Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:35pm
Goliath and his merry band of corrupt corporate crooks
they change the rules during the match but don’t see the increase in centrifugal force heading towards their downfall..
TMM Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:35pm
to:
It`s not nice to wish harm on people or animals
Your argument about dog breeds has absolutely no value without knowing exactly the sample size of each breed of dog in the area of attacks. How can you say a breed is more prone to attack without knowing what percentage of the dog population that breed comprises.
Mike Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:33pm
Hawke – are you serious? LMFAO..HERE IS AN IDEA – WHY DONT YOU PROVE IT IS PHOTOSHOPPED FIRST INSTEAD OF COOKING UP CONSPIRACY THEORIES!!!
No offense, but people have to stop looking at this as an innocent man at the wrong place who was killed by some crazy a-hole.
Why dont you try this instead – this was a bike courier who was drunk at the time, was stopped by police only minutes earlier, jumped onto a moving vehicle (which apparently isnt the first time he’s done it), and lost his life.
Is Bryant at fault? No more than you and I are responsible for the oil spill in the gulf coast because of our dependance on fossil fuels. Sure, you can say its true, but at the end of the day you still look like an idiot! 🙂
Gill Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:31pm
This is AWESOME.
Now every dog nut is gonna crawl out of the woodwork. Forget the fact that some poor guy died, or that another’s family has been through the ringer.
Let’s talk about my DOG!! LOL!
Let’s talk about the likelihood of a breed biting you. Let’s ignore the fact that a pit bull can tear your head off! Because dammit! Dogs matter more than people.
It’s inconceivable to me that people just IGNORE Sheppard’s actions because the poor guy is dead. The worst thing Bryant could be accused of is leaving the scene. If the same thing happened to 100 people, 90 of them will drive away fast.
The other ten will call the police and be astonished when they arrive in about 15 minutes. They can whine about that in the hospital.
TMM Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:29pm
And another thing: Do you suckers really think it was an “accident” that a photograher/reporter just “happened” to catch him jogging without a shirt? Of course this guy is going to run for office again, this photo was just to get the dim witted women on side because he’s good looking. That’s what is important in a politician, what they look like right?
It`s not nice to wish harm on people or animals Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:25pm
“I hope a loose dog (pit bull) rips his balls off next time he jogs. Karma’s a bitch.
Actually it`s more likely to be one of these 4 Breeds rather than a short haired muscular mutt which is NOT a Breed of dog.
http://tinyurl.com/yh2sye3
“A study by the Canadian hospitals injury reporting and prevention program examined the dog breeds involved in attacks that were serious enough that the victim sought medical attention at one of eight reporting hospitals. The study revealed that 50 different types of purebreds and 33 types of crossbreeds had been involved in the attacks, the most common breeds being German shepherds, cocker spaniels, Rottweilers and golden retrievers.”
Of course MB already knows that
http://www.stopcanineprofiling.com/
TMM Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:24pm
This is such a crok !!!!!!! The former Liberal Attorney General, who likely appointed the “Liberal” judge on the bench who heard the case gets off? WOW, who would have thought? Wake up folks. He’s a Liberal so yes he is allowed to drive away from an accident where he killed a man. I mean he had to run away from the mad man, him being “DEAD” and all. The moral is, if you’re a Liberal in Ontario not only can you lie everytime you open your mouth but you can also kill people and not get convicted. Oh the cops will attempt to make it look good for the media but Bryant knows damned well he would never be convuicted in Ontario. I wonder how this would have ended if it had been Mike Harris driving that Saab?
Sonnislav Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:24pm
BS!!! People have done a lot of lesser things and have been charged. Bryant kills a man and gets off without even going to trial? Looks like Al Pacino got it right in Scarface. I hope Bryant runs for the Liberals. I can’t wait to vote those idiots out of office…
Gill Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:19pm
Bryant could have called the cops and they would have been there in a minute?
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Ohh….a minute? Really?
BWAH HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
A boxing round is 2 minutes. An MMA round is 5 minutes. If Bryant called the cops they would not have been there in a minute. All drunk bike couriers gotta know, hang on to someone’s car and they are gonna drive away. Don’t do it!
When people hate Bryant or love pit bulls or married a bike courier, they just ignore the facts and go all Oliver Stone consipiracy theory!! Nobody would have been convicted on this one. Sheppard had choices too. He made some really bad ones. RIP.
james ginn Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:15pm
Bryant will always be thought of as the guy who got away with vehicular manslaughter. He was in control of the deadly weapon… namely his car. He could have called the cops and they would have been there within a minute. Bryant showed his true personality on this one. Lets just let the cards fall where they may on this and allow a higher power to deal with mister Bryant …a power much higher than the corrupt judicial system of Ontario.
Hawke Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:13pm
That picture was photoshopped. Thats all I got to say. Until someone can prove otherwise, we all been had again by the rich only they can commit a crime and get away with it and the media don’t look for the truth.
Buddy Guy Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 11:11pm
Here’s a no brainer. If you are drunk don’t grab on to cars. Duh!!!
Hawk-i Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 10:59pm
Yeah, whatever. Who gives a flying bicycle seat, Darcy Allan was only a “nobody”. The former AG of Ontario also left the scene of a fatal self-inflicted vehicular homicide. Who should really care? The so called lawmakers? Nada. Puke. What if it was you or me? Now they want to blame Darcy Allan.
bluebomber Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 10:58pm
I hope a loose dog (pit bull) rips his balls off next time he jogs. Karma’s a bitch.
Biggy Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 10:55pm
I have to agree the cylcist was being troublesome but is death the correct response to his actions? i dont think so. there are many unstable people walking the streets of toronto, but only the elite are able to kill them them and say they were afraid and get away with it. Brayant had les extreme options that he could have taken.
Congrats Michael Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 10:37pm
“I do know that Iâ™ve got some legal bills to pay…”
I`m glad the system worked for you.
I hope you`re able to pay off your legal fees.
Hopefully you didn`t rack up as much in Legal Fees as some since you were presumed innocent and the Crown had to prove guilt.
I woudn`t want to see you have to resort to a “Dollars for…” Campaign like poor Mr Philip Huggins here who has been stripped of the presumption of innocence and has been dragged through the Courts for 5+ years now.
http://brindlestick.blogspot.com/2010/04/dollars-for-dogs.html
He`d probably like to go for a jog in the Park also but he`s busy fighting to save a 4 legged family member.
BTW are you still in favor of a 2 tier Justice System or has your thinking shifted somewhat?
No bikes Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 10:32pm
haha, you people are all nuts. If bryant were a regular guy, the police would never even have charged him in the first place. Thy figured if they didn’t it would look like favortism…let it go to court and it’ll be withdrawn there. No one deserves to die but I think whatever his name was the author of his own misfortune.
A Sad day for us Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 10:29pm
If this were a regular person they would stand trial.The POLICE would tell me or you that if you have a person getting agressive with u call 911.And if i drove my car at high speeds trying to knock someone off the side of my car,charged and TRIED IN A COURT OF LAW> The police would say u should call us and sit tight not kill the guy,now you will go to jail.But if u have power the rules change.This is just another examle of the rich and powerfull getting away with breaking the law.
BurningPaper Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 10:27pm
Mr. Bryant was the only politician to ever take an honest interest in my battle for non-smokers rights in the Construction workplace. Hopefully now that he has had his perspective so widely broadened he will re-examine this issue and provide the political will to do what is right.
Hundreds of thousands of non-smokers and hopeful quitters are counting on someone like him.
godhelpus Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 10:26pm
Hey Mikey, you are back? How is life at the PR firm? So to you, Sheppard is an imbecile? Okay maybe so… but he wasn’t born into wealth like your buddy Michael was and maybe that is why he made it to law school and Harvard? But in your world everyone has the same shot in the game right? I wanna know if Bryant was drinking that night? I want to know what happened before they stopped at the intersection? I want to know why Bryant didn’t just go away and leave the scene instead of pushing Sheppard? I wanna know how many people Sheppard actually harassed that day? I only saw one vehicle but the media claims there was a number of others. I wanna know why it was a fellow lawyer that took the photo they offered up today as evidence?
godhelpus Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 10:22pm
I wonder if this was really a coincidental meeting as suggested in the story? Only liberals would vote for Bryant now. Also he has strong support among the tribe it appears. Many people though will always see him as spoiled and out of touch with the rest of us.
BB Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 10:14pm
Although Darcy Allan Sheppard had no violent record and has only been accused and not convicted of cheque fraud, many in the media have portrayed him as someone who may be violent. He had no history of violence and no record of violence â“none.
Much of Sheppardâ™s portrayal is driven by Bryantâ™s PR efforts with Brian Mulroneyâ™s favourite spinners â“ Navigator Ltd.
What if Navigator was working for Darcy Allan Sheppard instead of Michael Bryant?
Looks like the little scumbags from the PR firm is making the rounds here.
Bryant is a murder end of story.
bluebomber Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 10:06pm
He’s a murder and the absolute minimum he should of been charged with is leaving the scene. Our Criminal justice system is just that. Criminally corrupt. With the likes of Jaffer & Bryant & Mulroney just to name a few….the average joe would be behind bars today.
AL Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:59pm
I’ve read most of the newpaper articles (front page) which came out today.
This issue is greater than just an incident between a cyclist and a motorist.
Is it me or there seems to be a bias portrayal of the victim (this person died from a senseless incident) in which the media made it looked like he deserved to die. Its sad to see what so called jounalism has become of late.
To me, this was a senseless incident and both of them acted in a senseless manner, therefore they in my opinion were equally wrong. As a result of the dismissal of all charges, it seems that any act can somehow be justified.
No one deserves to die.
Mikey Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:51pm
Not that it matters, as the charges were dropped, but Sheppard was a drunk, a drug addict and an imbecile who was involved with previous altercations with other drivers.
Michael Bryant did the only sensible thing when Sheppard confronted him with possible intentions to harm him, and drove away! I would have done the same thing!
Sheppard had a death wish for the longest time and it’s too bad he chose Michael Bryant to antagonize that night!
Had Sheppard approached a Black man’s car, he would have most likely have been shot!!
Bottom line is, Sheppard was his own worst enemy and had he not been drunk that night, he would still be alive today!
End of story!!
j. campbell Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:45pm
he should have been charged, like any joe. just because he’s into politics doesn’t mean SQUAT!!!! if anyone else did that, They’ed be charged. What a crock or shit this judicial system is. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GG Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:36pm
Well if he runs again he can count on zero votes from the greenies and the hipster bike people!
Whats done is done, charges dropped, tragic end to the life of Darcy who had a pretty messed up life anyway. I saw the youtube footage, it all happened pretty fast, I suppose if some crazy guy was attacking me I would try to get out of there as well.
slappy Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:33pm
as much as the cops and lawyers want ot stress that bryant got no special treatment, well they are full of shit, of course he was handled with kit gloves, they made sheppard out to be the bad guy even though bryant murdered him. bryant used the hydrant to remove sheppard from his car, fully knowing it would cause grevious injury or death. dead people cant tell thier side of the story. even though every tool at the legal system was used to protect bryant, he will always be a murderer, a stinking slime of a monster who took another life. bryant is a political elite, who thinks himself above the peasents.
Mike Winner Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:32pm
Time for bike couriers to have mandatory drug and alchol testing done on a regular basis. Most cyclists are pretty good and in fact, there have been very very few incidents on the roads between cars and cyclists(as most car drivers are courteous.)
However, before the holier than thou bike crowd starts throwing stones, they had better be prepared for a compelte crackdown by the police on drunken stoned bike riders.
I suspect that even had Bryant gone to a jury trial and been acquitted the same bunch of bikers would be screaming injustice.
Shannon from Ottawa Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:32pm
In a word..NO!! He did the crime..now he needs to do the time. If this was someone who wasn’t in the spotlight, they would’ve been in jail long ago!!
Worrynot Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:26pm
Let’s not forget this is the same person responsible for killing hundreds of innocent puppies(no joke: he started the pitbull law). He belongs in jail.
Nick Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:26pm
I feel the same as from the first report of the incident. I would have done the same if attacked and have done similar (but lesser) as needed. I respect cyclists on the road, and only on the road. I disrepect and will defend against violent and ill-mannered motorists (including bus drivers), cyclists, motorcyclists, skatebarders, handicapped scooter drivers, and pedestrians. We all need to calm down especially biased cyclists, and realize self preservation is king. Can never be a valid law against it. The Criminal Code allows it, as it must, to the point of stopping the threat or attack. Read it!It’s too bad the cyclist was out of his sanity. Lucky he was not attacking a cop, he might have been shot.
Richard Rogers Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:25pm
ratchet Report CommentMay 26th 2010, 8:57pm
paul c. ass wipe
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Hey ratchet, leave buddy alone.
He’s probably just a brain-dead bike courier.
Brent from hijacked scarborough Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:23pm
bike riders should be very scared when they see Bryant behind the wheel again…We have hit a new low with this bullshit!
Gill Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:20pm
If some drunk tried to climb in my car I’d run him over too. Not happy at all that the guy is dead, but our society is so concerned with the duty of care we have towards others. Can’t serve coffee hot in case idiots burn themselves
What about the duty of care we have towards ourselves? To NOT to get blind drunk and start fights with people lest we be hurt or killed.
It is a duty to ourselves to protect our own safety and the safety of our spouse when presented with a dangerous situation that is not of our making.
I believe if it was anyone OTHER than Bryant they probably wouldn’t be charged. Not with the footage of this guy starting shit all day long. The cyclist had a tragic life with a tragic end.
STOP POINTING THE FINGER IT’S OVER
Charles Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:16pm
I understand a drunk may be intoxicated and attacked you. But using a car to speed away to spin Sheppard off and caused his death is also a deliberate attempt to cause harm. I would not say it is murder. But Mr. Bryant is partially responsible for Sheppard’s death and Bryant’s future in politics may be tarnished forever !!
common folk Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:12pm
Check out the video footage on Youtube. Bryant deliberately runs him over! If it was any one of us we would be sitting in a deep dark cell.
Floyd Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:10pm
Mr Bryant should be charged with murder
Christine Massey Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 9:10pm
He makes me sick.
And the Sun photographer just happened to run into him? How strangely convenient for Bryant… so we can all see how he is ‘getting back in stride.’
If I were him I’d be wishing for eyes in the back of my head!
ratchet Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 8:57pm
paul c. ass wipe
Paul C Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 8:55pm
Murderer!
taxpayer Report Comment
May 26th 2010, 8:42pm
He did what anyone in his situation would do – he panicked when attacked by a drunk cyclist who tried to climb into his car while he was out with his wife.
So I sympathize with him in many ways. Having said that, this is the same assclown responsible for the bogus street racing law. I hate street racing and I hate the people who do it. But you CANNOT abandon the principles on which the system is based because you want to look like a gunslinging hero. Guilty without due process and you get your car crushed?? First one is a travesty, second one involves personal property. Try that shit in Texas and see how far you get. So, on the whole, fuck Bryant and let him spend a few more days in the clink to see what it’s like on the other side.