An Ottawa police officer charged with sexual assault in the Stacy Bonds case has hired one of the top criminal lawyers in the country to defend him.
Sgt. Steve Desjourdy will be represented by Ottawa lawyer Michael Edelson.
Desjourdy's case was before the court on Tuesday. The officer did not appear in court, which is routine for court dates that deal with administrative matters.
Desjourdy was charged with sexual assault in March after Ontario's Special Investigations Unit finished its investigation into police conduct during Bonds' detainment at Ottawa police headquarters in September 2008.
A surveillance video of the incident shows Desjourdy cutting Bonds' shirt and bra off with a pair of scissors. She is then left semi-clothed in a cell for more than three hours.
Desjourdy has since been assigned to administrative duties. His case will be back in court on May 19.
