The judge in the criminal trial of Ottawa's mayor has ruled to allow a videotaped interview of Larry O'Brien to be made public.
Justice Douglas Cunningham made the ruling Tuesday morning after two media outlets filed an application to get court to release the mayor's interview with police to the media.
- Watch Mayor Larry O'Brien's entire interview with provincial police in April 2007. Hear what he has to say about the allegations against him.
The ruling comes after the video was played as evidence at the mayor's influence peddling trial on Monday.
Charges against the mayor stem from allegations he encouraged his rival Terry Kilrea to drop out of the 2006 mayoral race in exchange for a federal appointment on the National Parole Board.
In the taped interview, O'Brien told police he never offered his rival a job or appointment.
"I would go on, you know, the record very clearly. I never offered him (Kilrea) a job, period. I never promised him a job, period," O'Brien said.
Observers say the videotaped interview with police may be the only time court will hear from the mayor during the course of his trial.
Earlier in the trial, Cunningham rejected a media request to use cameras in the court. However, he is allowing reporters to use BlackBerrys and other electronic devices to blog about the trial as it unfolds.
The trial is being heard by a judge alone.
