“A good first day in court” is how Durham area farmer Michael Schmidt described his trial.
Schmidt is being tried for contempt of court for allegedly selling unpasteurized milk, despite a court order not to.
Schmidt says the first day of the trial yesterday in Newmarket went well.
Schmidt — who is representing himself in the trial — says the judge did a good job directing how evidence should be used.
Schmidt says he is now comfortable the issues will be addressed fairly.
About 50 supporters packed the courtroom in support of Schmidt.
In fact, there were so many people that the judge had to move the trial to a larger courtroom.
Supporter Lois Banks of Richmond Hill says she owns “milk shares,” making it legal to acquire the milk.
Day two today will begin with Schmidt cross examining the Crown’s witnesses.
But Schmidt expects there will be some debate over whether he will be allowed to interview the Medical Officers of Health in Grey Bruce and York region.
The trial is expected to last two to three days and carries a possible fine or jail term if Schmidt is found guilty.
Schmidt says he “feels great” about the fact a guilty verdict could send him to jail — because the raw milk issue would then have to be dealt with.
This trial paves the way for a larger trial set for January 2009 related to the raid of Schmidt’s Grey-Bruce farm in 2006.
