An unexpected twist in Windsor Superior court this morning. Glen Mayer, 49, was scheduled for a sentencing hearing for first-degree murder, but his lawyer instead is asking the judge for what’s called a “judicial inquiry” of a juror. Julianna Greenspan told the court this morning, juror number four wrote a letter to Mayer at the South West Detention Centre asking to meet face to face to “discuss his circumstances.” In response to an email from Greenspan, the juror said he didn’t have any additional evidence to discuss which the jurors didn’t hear at trial. The defence argues however, the written letter, is against the law for what jurors are allowed to do. The prosecution is arguing there is no reason to assume the jury deliberations were influenced in any way by juror number four’s letter written two months after the conviction. Late Monday morning, Justice Ross MacFarlane sided with the crown, arguing there was no “credible evidence” that indicated juror number four may have influenced the other juror’s decision eight weeks before writing to Mayer in jail. Mayer was convicted by the jury in June for the 2024 killing of 47-year-old Tony Bechara. ‘A great man’ Mayer’s sentencing hearing began early Monday afternoon, even though a conviction of first-degree murder carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Monday’s hearing was the Bechara family’s one and only chance to speak on Tony’s behalf. “My brother was much more than a victim in this case,” brother John Bechara said in his victim impact statement. “The emotional pain has been devastating. We grieve not only the person he was but also the future that was taken from him and from all of us.” A total of 10 victim impact statements were written for the sentencing hearing. “We lost a great man,” George Marar told the court, explaining Bechara started as an employee but turned into a best friend whom Marar could rely on. “I no longer feel the same sense of safety in Tecumseh,” cousin Emelie Pedro told the court. “I now worry that somebody’s anger can take a life instantly.” At trial, the jury learned Mayer went to Bechara’s Lakeshore home on Jan. 20., 2024 armed with a handgun after learning his wife was in an affair with Bechara. Defence lawyer Julianna Greenspan told CTV News late Monday afternoon they intend to appeal Mayer’s conviction and now have 30 days to officially file that paperwork.
