Accused Winnipeg bomber Guido Amsel to plead not guilty, lawyer says

GuidoAmselfinally has a lawyer who says the accused Winnipegbomberintends to plead not guilty to the charges against him.

Amsel, 49, has had trouble finding a lawyer to represent him, after he allegedly sent explosive packages to twolegal offices in the city.

• Alleged bomber can't find legal help after explosion injures Winnipeg lawyer

But on Thursday,Winnipeg defence lawyer Martin Glazer said he will representAmsel, who denies the allegations against him.Glazer sent a statement to CBC News in which he said police "have no direct evidence against [Amsel]" and that the case"appears to be built on assumptions."

Statement from Martin Glazer

As lawyers we stand on guard to protect the constitutional rights of all people, regardless of what they may be accused of.Mr. Guido Amsel has the same rights as anyone else charged with a crime.

He has the right to a lawyer of his choice and the right to a fair trial.

Mr. Amsel's case will be decided in court, not by the media.

Informed members of the public understand and respect the law which guarantees Mr. Amsel's rights and cloaks him with the presumption of innocence.

Mr. Amsel remarried ten years ago. He is a devoted husband and loving father.

He denies these allegations which remain unproven and untested.

There is no confession and in fact Mr. Amsel denies the accusations made against him.

Based on the information received so far the police have no direct evidence against him. The case appears to be built on assumptions and circumstantial evidence that has an innocent explanation.

Mr. Amsel has no criminal record, is 49 years old, a taxpayer and successful businessman with an excellent reputation in the community with the people he has serviced in his business.

Mr. Amsel has instructed me that he will be pleading not guilty. I intend to provide a vigorous defence in accordance with his instructions.

Earlier in the day, police announced athird attempted murder charge has been laidagainst Amsel, along with a number ofweapons related charges for aloaded gunseized from his home.

The newest attempted murder charge is in connection to an explosive device detonated July 5at a law office onStradbrookAvenue. Police said the reason thenew charges weren't laid until now is because Amsel was already in custody so investigators had the luxury of taking their time.

The list of new charges includes:

• Attempt murder.
• Possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
• Unlawful possession of explosives.
• Possession of a weapon with intent to cause bodily harm.
• Storing a firearmcontrary to regulations.

Amselwas alreadybeen charged with two counts of attempted murder, one count of aggravated assault and several charges relating to thepossession of explosives.

• Winnipeg mail bomb targets were 3 women

Three women were the targets of attacks earlier this monthin whichbombs were rigged throughgrey recording devices and sent through the mail, according to court documents.

Lawyer MariaMitousis, 38, lost her right hand and badly hurt the left whileopening one of those packages on July 3at her River Avenue office.She also sufferedinjuries to her face, chest and thighs and underwent 12 hours of surgery.

Mitousis used to representAmsel'sex-wife, IrisAmsel,in divorce proceedings that began in 2004.

• Suspected bomberwent through lengthy divorce battle
• Maria Mitousis says don't let 'fear or hate overcome you'

A package intended forAmsel'sex-wife was detonated by policeJuly 4 at a business on Washington Avenue. No one was injured.

The third bomb was detonated by police near the law office ofOrleBargenand Davidson onStradbrookAvenue on July 5. Thelawyer who represented him in the divorce proceedings used to work there but no longer does.

The search of Amsel's home happened July 6. Police seized a loaded rifle and ammunition.