Discovery of suspicious package shuts down street

After buried chemicals were recently found at Byron Sonne’s former Forest Hill residence, the Crown petitioned to reopen its case against him for allegedly plotting attacks on the Toronto G20 Summit.

The judge had already retired to consider proceedings and initially slated a verdict for April 23. But after the defence and the Crown agreed that the new findings could be included as evidence in the trial, it was back to the courtroom.

The trial reconvened for one hour on April 13, allowing the Crown to submit the discovered chemicals as fresh evidence, alleging that they were hidden for a “nefarious purpose.”

The canisters contained potassium chlorate, a legal substance found in fireworks that may be combined with fuel to create explosives. The defence pointed to Sonne’s model rocketry hobby as his reason for storing the chemicals, saying that he had no intention of creating explosives.

On April 4, police officers and the Toronto Police Service Emergency Task Force Bomb Disposal Unit searched 58 Elderwood Dr. for canisters containing what they believed to be explosive or dangerous substances, said Const. Victor Kwong, a Toronto Police Service media communications officer.

Nearby residents were told to stay indoors and away from windows for their safety as the activity closed the normally calm residential street. Once secured, the package was transported to a site on the city’s waterfront where it was incinerated.

Sonne was arrested in 2010, three days prior to the G20 Summit in Toronto. He was charged with six offences, including possession of a weapon and explosives, counselling mischief and intimidating police. Altogether, the charges carry a maximum penalty of 58 years.

The case will be under reserve until May 15 at 10 a.m., when Superior Court Justice Nancy Spies will give judgment.

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