BY KEITH LACEY
A Sudbury man who was fired at by Greater Sudbury Police following a high-speed chase three months ago has opted to stand trial before a judge and jury of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice.
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Donald Kocurek, 33, is facing numerous serious charges following an incident on March 4.
A preliminary hearing was held Thursday at the Sudbury courthouse. Kocurek has been charged with stealing a truck, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, two counts of assault with a weapon, obstructing police, drug possession and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Following the incident, police issued a statment saying shots were fired by an officer after the driver of
a stolen truck rammed two cruisers and attempted to run down an officer.
Justice Yvon Renaud of the Ontario Court of Justice ordered a ban on publication of evidence presented at the preliminary hearing. Following the hearing, Renaud ruled there was sufficient evidence for all the charges against Kocurek to proceed to trial
At the beginning of proceedings, KocurekÂ?s lawyer Glenn Sandberg said his client has opted to have his trial heard before a judge and jury.
Kocurek has remained in custody since his arrest more than three months ago. HeÂ?s not expected to go on trial until late this summer or this fall.
Following the incident, police released a statement, saying shots were fired by an officer who tried to pull over a truck reported stolen that resulted in a high-speed chase.
The chase started on Notre Dame Avenue, travelled through portions of the downtown area and ended in the area near Kathleen and Beatty in the Donovan.
Kocurek will be back in court in a couple of weeks to answer to charges relating to an alleged sexual assault earlier this year.
Kocurek was charged in May with sexual assault, administering a stupefying substance, administering a noxious substance and breach of probation.
Kocurek isnÂ?t expected to go on trial on the charges relating to the high-speed chase until late this
summer or early this fall.
