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Mark McDiarmid released pending trial

Mark McDiarmid was granted bail on Wednesday pending a January trial. He was released on Thursday. Justice M.

Mark McDiarmid was granted bail on Wednesday pending a January trial. He was released on Thursday.

Justice M.D. Gates granted him bail during an automatic bail review hearing. A publication ban has been ordered for any details related to the hearing.

McDiarmid has been in custody at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre since October 2011 for assaulting three police officers. He was convicted in March.

His bail hearing was related to outstanding charges stemming from 2014. According to court documents, McDiarmid is charged with allegedly assaulting and threatening lawyer Jennifer Cunningham and RCMP Cpl. Stephen Knaack in February 2014 in Whitehorse court. A trial has been tentatively scheduled for January 4, 2016 according to Crown prosecutor David McWhinnie.

Justices Veale and Gower had appointed Cunningham as McDiarmid’s amicus curiae during an earlier trial.

An amicus curiae, literally friend of the court, is appointed to make sure the interests of the accused are best served, usually when they’re self-represented.

McDiarmid was sentenced to 40 months in prison on July 15 for assaulting three RCMP officers in 2011, but because of time served, he has already completed his sentence and even has a remaining credit of 21.5 months.

McDiarmid’s bail conditions state he has to remain in the territory.