City driver has mixed emotions about acquittal: BayToday exclusive

Michael Linkie has mixed emotions about his acquittal Thursday on charges of sexual assault and gross indecency.

Linkie, a North Bay bus driver before being suspended from his job, had been charged in relation to a case dating back to 1976.

But his three-day trial came to an abrupt end Thursday morning when his defence lawyer, Andrew Perrin, asked Superior Court Justice Norman Karam for a directed verdict.

On the record
Karam, Linkie told BayToday.ca, stated that a jury, when presented with the evidence in the case, could not have been rightfully expected to come up with a finding of guilt beyond any reasonable doubt.

Perrin did not call Linkie or any other defence witnesses to the stand.

“I felt a little bit deprived of the opportunity to state on record that I’m innocent,” Linkie said.

“I said to a friend of mine ‘I feel empty after this experience,’ and he said ‘it’s because you didn’t have the opportunity to state your innocence, and you didn’t have the opportunity to see your evidence come out in court, and it’s a shame that people didn’t see that.’ But the time is coming. They’re all going to know the truth.”

Wrong areas
Karam, Linkie said, suggested the complainant, identified as ‘A.H.’ on the charges, was a credible witness when she testified.

“Something very real must have happened to this lady, but she was looking in the wrong areas in who did it,” Linkie said.

“I sympathize to the point that something like that shouldn’t happen to any human being, but with what she’s done to myself, my children, my nieces my nephews, my siblings, my mom and dad, my friends, my sympathy only goes so far.”

Wonderful people
Linkie went into the trial feeling very confident.

He was surprised, though, at the quickness of the outcome.

“I knew I was going to be acquitted, I’m innocent, I didn’t do it,” Linkie said.

“The facts weren’t there to support the charge, but did I think it was going to be this quick? No.”

Wonderful throughout this
After the trial ended, Linkie began calling “all the wonderful people” who have been providing him with emotional support during the past two years.

“I have such a large support network around me, friends and professional people, and the support I have had has been fantastic,” Linkie said.

News of his acquittal was also broadcast over the city transit radio system.

“My driving colleagues and my supervisor Dorothy have all been wonderful throughout this,” Linkie said.

He added there were three other people whom he informed of the decision.

“I couldn’t wait until 10 to three so I see my children and tell them that their dad was found not guilty.”

Innocent man
Linkie’s legal battles aren’t over yet.

Jury selection begins Feb. 14 in another sexual assault case brought against him by a passenger on his city bus.

“The night before this trial started I slept like a baby because I’m an innocent man, and I’ll tell you I’ll sleep quite fine before the next trial starts too,” Linkie said.

“The only people who won’t be sleeping well are the Crown and the police.”