Following several appearances, a former Oshawa, Ont., councillor will stand trial on charges related to the kidnapping of the city’s solicitor more than 18 months ago.
Ontario Court Justice Michael Block ruled earlier this month that Robert Lutczyk will stand trial on charges including kidnapping, dangerous driving, and possession of weapons and explosives. His third bail application was also denied.
Lutczyk is accused of kidnapping Oshawa City solicitor David Potts outside the lawyer’s home in Courtice, Ont., on Oct. 15, 2012, then barricading himself inside the back of an auto repair shop in south Whitby. A standoff with police lasted 27 hours. There were more than 20 charges laid including kidnapping and possession of weapons and explosives.
Potts managed to escape unharmed and returned to work the day after the incident.
Block made the ruling after a preliminary inquiry that ran from April 22 to May 2. There is a ban on reporting evidence presented during the hearing.
Lutczyk has been in custody since his arrest October 2012. He represented himself during the preliminary inquiry with the assistance of a court-appointed lawyer.
His case now goes to Superior Court where he can elect a trial by jury or judge only. There is no date set for a trial as yet.
Last fall, Lutczyk also appeared in court when a judge ordered corrections officials to allow him to review evidence against him as he prepared to defend himself. He is being held at the Lindsay jail and at the time did not have access to a computer to review the evidence.
