Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Calvin Barry Hosts Charity Event

We invite you to join us at our upcoming Gala in support of TEAM CJ-AUTISM SPEAKS:

·         Event:    Under the Big Top for AUTISM
Special Guest ~ Roberto Alomar

·         Where:   Liberty Grand ~ TORONTO
·         When:     Thursday ~ November 10, 2011
6:30pm ~ Cocktails
7:30pm ~ Dinner and Show
·                     Tickets: $175 per Ticket 
$1,500 per Table (10 tickets)
·                     For more information on how to purchase tickets or sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.autismgala.com and/or reply email to me.
·                     You can also visit us on FB http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=137787236320380

On behalf of TEAM CJ and Autism Speaks, we thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you at the Gala.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Calvin Barry Thunder Bay Party

Calvin Barry

Calvin Barry

Calvin Barry

Daughter’s disappearance may have sparked delusions, sentencing hearing told

Daughter’s disappearance may have sparked delusions, sentencing hearing told
Emily Jackson
Staff Reporter

When his teenage daughter, Mariam, disappeared without a trace in 2009, Vakhtang Makhniashvili snapped.

He stabbed three people last year, and his actions were likely caused by the delusional disorder he developed after the disappearance, according to a court-ordered psychiatric assessment.

Makhniashvili has pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated assault for attacks motivated by “paranoid delusions” about his neighbours and former surety, his lawyer, Calvin Barry, told the sentencing hearing Thursday.

Makhniashvili stood up to apologize in court.

“I realize how much pain I’ve caused to society, to my victims, to my family and to myself,” he said quietly.

The pain has been extreme. Makhniashvili’s victims struggled to keep their composure when they read their impact statements.

“I am subjected to this nightmare constantly,” said Sean Ure, whose “insides spilled into his hands” after his neighbour stabbed him in the gut in May 2010.

His injuries left him unable to work or care for his 7-month-old son. His family moved for fear of their lives.

“I’ll never forget the terror of that man standing in our hallway or the look in his eyes,” said his partner, Sonja Dobb.

Makhniashvili’s attack may have been triggered because a body had been found nearby the same week, although it wasn’t Mariam and Ure had nothing to do with it, Barry said.

Makhniashvili was subsequently released on $50,000 bail. David Langer and his wife, Delores (Rosie), were his surety.

The Langers originally met him through a Facebook group that was searching for Mariam. Langer used to be a private detective and he “put his trust in Vakhtang 100 per cent,” he said.

But seven months later, Makhniashvili violently attacked the Langers at their Leslieville home — the identical offence for which he was out on bail.

This time, the violence may have been triggered by an 11-hour disappearance of Makhniashvili’s son, the subject of an unfavourable article by Star columnist Rosie DiManno.

Makhniashvili mistakenly thought the Langers were responsible for DiManno’s story. He drove to their house, knocked on the door and attacked them both.

Since the assault, the Langers have dealt with disturbing nightmares, constant fear, disabilities and pain, they told the court.

The injury to Delores Langer’s left arm caused paralysis in her hand.

She is severely depressed as she can no longer cook (her profession) or garden (her passion), and she depends on her husband to help her with daily activities such as brushing her hair or zipping up her pants, she said.

“I wanted to take my life,” she said, describing a day this summer. She is under psychiatric care.

David Langer, who required surgery for the wounds in his stomach, was emotional when he took the stand. The worst part, he said, is seeing his wife suffer.

The Langers are now too afraid to answer their front door. They held hands as they sat a metre and a half away from their assailant.

In an interview outside the courtroom, Makhniashvili’s wife, Lela Tabidze, said she is hopeful treatment will be a “step towards recovery.” Hearing the victims read their statements was the “toughest moment,” she said.

“Our main task is to find our daughter,” she added, saying they still hope she is alive.

Barry has recommended that on top of Makhniashvili’s 11 months in custody, he serve another year and two weeks plus three years of probation.

Crown Attorney John Cisorio is seeking a term of eight to 10 years.

Justice Rebecca Rutherford is expected to deliver her decision Dec. 8.

http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/1073336--daughter-s-disappearance-may-have-sparked-delusions-sentencing-hearing-told