One of two brothers charged with first-degree murder of Nick Tanti was released on bail Wednesday as about 20 friends and family of the victim stood outside holding up signs in protest.
Aidan Kee was released on $100,000 bail at the Superior Court of Justice on Woolwich Street. It was the conclusion of the bail hearing that began on Friday.
His brother Angus, facing the same charge, was released on bail in May.
Court heard Wednesday it could take a year for the matter to get to trial.
Tanti was fatally stabbed outside Tony's Billiards on Macdonell Street on Feb. 29.
Kee arrived in court dressed in an orange t-shirt and grey pants with a pink face mask and face shied. He left the building at about 2 p.m. in the same grey pants and wearing a dark blue hooded sweatshirt.
After the hearing, about 10 people holding up signs in protest and wearing black '#justicefornick' t-shirts witnessed the release at the back of the court house. They were among about 20 people who staged a protest out front of the courthouse prior to the hearing.
Inside the courtroom, only five supporters for the accused and five for the vicim were allowed in the gallery due to physical distancing rules put in place in response to COVID-19.
At one point one of the Tanti supporters was escorted out of the room after speaking out from the gallery during the proceeding.
Earlier, a man there to support Kee caused a disturbance after not being allowed into the courtoom and was escorted away from the courtroom area.
Three of Kee's family members, including his mother, will be acting as his bail sureties. He will be living outside Guelph for the duration of his bail.
A publication ban was in place for the proceedings. It covers any evidence presented in the proceedings and any reasons given for the judge's decision.
Crown attorney Julia Forward gave no objection to the release plan or to the sureties, but was in opposition to the release itself.
The two brothers are ordered to not contact each other directly or indirectly and are each staying with different family members.
The defence and Crown attorney were informed by Mossip about the decision to release Aidan Tuesday, the day before it was dealt with in open court.
Kee is ordered to remain in the residence of his primary surety 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and to be in the presence of one of the three sureties at all times. He may only leave the residence with one of his sureties to attend court, attend appointments with his lawyer or for a medical emergency or a medical or dental appointment.
He is also ordered to not be in possession of any weapons, including firearms and crossbows, as well as being forbidden from applying for a passport or other travel documents and must remain in Ontario.
Kee must not be in contact with his co-accused, the family of the victim or with any witness in the proceeding.
The victim's mother, Sharon Tanti, said she was informed about the decision through a liaison with the Guelph Police on Tuesday.
She maintained her composure as the decision was read in open court, but after the hearing told GuelphToday she is let down by the system and feeling a great deal of pain and hurt on the inside.
“I don’t know if I have any more energy for anger,” said Tanti. “I cried until about 2 o’clock in the morning and my eyes were just stinging this morning.”
After finding out on Tuesday about the release, Sharon and her daughter Jessica organized the protest that ended up with about 20 supporters on the front lawn of the court house.
“That was just on short notice,” said Sharon. “There are a lot of people who feel the same way I do.”
Defence attorney Marianne Salih made Mossip aware of social media posts by members of the victim’s family that appeared to breach the publication ban previously put in place.
Mossip reminded those in the court room that disobeying a publication ban is a criminal offence and can have unintended consequences on a possible trial.
“If you want a fair trial and want it in Guelph you have to abide by the rules and be careful what you say,” said Mossip.
