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Hanson trying to retain Toronto lawyer for court case

January 28, 2019   ·   0 Comments

By Mike Baker

The court case of Michelle Hanson was back before a judge in Orangeville on Tuesday (Jan. 15), with the lawyer speaking on her behalf saying the mother of deceased three-year-old Kaden Young was working to retain a lawyer out of Toronto.

Richard Allman informed provincial justice of the peace Liisa Ritchie that he will not be retained to represent Ms. Hanson in this case, with the Grand Valley resident expecting to meet with Toronto criminal defence lawyer Marco Forte this week. As such, he requested another stay, which JP Ritchie agreed to. Ms. Hanson’s next hearing is scheduled for Feb. 5.

The OPP confirmed on Oct. 11 it had charged the 35-year-old Ms. Hanson with impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death and criminal negligence causing death. Police would make no further comments regarding the allegations so as to not “compromise the integrity of future court proceedings”.

Young Kaden was lost at the minivan driven by his mother was pulled into the raging Grand River on Feb. 21. Ms. Hanson had earlier failed to stop at a road closure sign. Despite managing to escape the vehicle, Kaden was torn from his mother’s arms. It was later determined he had drowned in the icy waters. His body was finally pulled from the water on April 21.

Ms. Hanson is still to decide whether she wishes to be tried by a judge alone, or by a judge and jury of peers. She will be back in an Orangeville courtroom on Feb. 5.

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