Telegraph Journal Monday, September 3, 2012

Man declines to make plea on driving while suspended

LAURA MACINNIS KINGS COUNTY RECORD

HAMPTON - Thomas Frederick Crowe is accused of driving while prohibited four times in less than one month.
The 32-year-old Saint John man appeared in Hampton Provincial Court Tuesday but refused to make pleas. "I wanted everything stated here to be on public record;' he said before telling the court an officer threatened him into coming to court.
Tonning explained the court is a place of public record and also told the accused that if he was ordered to come to court, he is required to appear.
In all there are four charges against Crowe between District 3 RCMP and Rothesay Regional Police: driving while suspended in Kings County on July 13 and July 26, twice on Aug. 1, and an indictable charge of driving while prohibited on Aug. 5 in Kingston.
But as Tonning asked him for pleas, he balked at the question."There is no plea, because there is no case;' Crowe said. judge Henrik Tonning said if he refused to make a plea, he would have to enter a not guilty plea for him.
"I object to that;' Crowe said.
"You can object all you like;' Tonning responded, but told him if he claims the Crown has no case, that is the equivalent of a not guilty plea.
He then warned Crowe that if he was stopped for driving while suspended again, the police would most likely take him into custody. Crowe responded by telling them he doesn't drive a commercial vehicle, and Tonning said he was unclear on what that had to do with the charges before the court.
"I don't care what vehicle you have. You can ride a horse, but you won't get behind the wheel until you get your licence back;'the judge said.
Duty counsel Carley Parish indicated Crowe did not wish to speak to her before his appearance. He set the trial dates down for Feb. 14 in Saint John, and Crowe indicated he will most likely represent himself.