By Ryan Pilon

Man found not guilty of assaulting police officer

Jan 27, 2011 | 1:27 PM

Tyler Hansen has been found guilty of aggravated assault, but not-guilty of assaulting a police officer.

The 26-year-old man was doing what was described as a “stunt” with his vehicle, which was significant in that it involved, what is referred to as, a “brake-torque” Off-duty RCMP officer, Chris Hujber, knocked on the window and told him to stop.

Hansen got out of the vehicle and attacked Hujber.

Hujber was able to fend him off until, somehow, he suffered a broken ankle. Hujber fell and Hansen jumped on top of him and began hitting him multiple times, breaking Hujber’s nose.

Judge Stan Loewen said the injuries Hujber sustained at the hands of Hansen, as well as the fact Hujber came out of the vehicle with an aggressive attitude, was enough to find the accused guilty of aggravated assault.

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Loewen said he felt there was doubt that Hansen knew Hujber was a police officer. Hujber stated in court he didn’t recall identifying himself as a police officer right away, and it was only when Hansen was on top of him that he said he did so.

Pam Hujber, Chris’ wife, also testified this was when she told Hansen Chris was a police officer, as did their neighbor, Charlotte Natomagan.

Loewen said none of their versions were consistent and given the heat of the moment, he has doubts Hansen knew he was assaulting a police officer.

“Of course, my client was hoping for an acquittal on this issue, a complete acquittal, but he certainly appreciates his Honour’s findings of the fact in terms of assaulting a police officer. That would have been a significant aggravating factor in terms of his sentencing,” said defence lawyer, Kathy Hodgson-Smith.

Sentencing has been adjourned to March 9th.

rpilon@panow.com

Photo: Defence lawyer, Kathy Hodgeson, leaves the provincial court. paNOW photo by Ryan Pilon