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Living Oakville Beaver 25 · Thursday, October 20, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com O'Marra appointed Superior Court justice system of justice. With countless court cases having passed before him, O'Marra said the ones involving murders remain with him, stating they are the cases that most profoundly affect the community. e has both defended and prosecuted people in crimiO'Marra described the murder of Burlington teen nal trials, but now an Oakville legal practitioner Matthew Daly as the most memorable and the most will preside over them. difficult case he worked. Halton Crown Attorney and Oakville resident Daly was beaten to death by a group of young Brian O'Marra was appointed to serve as a Justice people armed with baseball bats on May 19, of the Superior Court of Ontario late last 2001 after he and his girlfriend left a graduamonth. tion party for Nelson High School students. O'Marra, who's final case saw him convict The men were reportedly angry with Bradley Todorovich of manslaughter for the Daly for having played a key role in ejectstabbing death of Oakville resident Jesse ing them from that party earlier in the Comeau, 16, will be sitting in Toronto evening. where he will preside over a variety of "It is hard to believe how much criminal, civil and family law cases. time has passed, but it was over 10 The monumental announcement hit years ago (when) that terrible event O'Marra like a bolt from the blue. occurred. It was a challenging and "I was thrilled, but I was also kind important case, an important case of in a state of shock for a little while for the community I think. He was because it was a very sudden event such a good and wonderful young and a big change in my career," he man and he died too young," said said. O'Marra. "I'm very happy. I know there will "It was a murder case that was be challenges for me, but I'm looking particularly shocking to the commuforward to those challenges. I'm really nity. We ended up with five people motivated to do my very best in this charged. So it was a very complex and new position," said O'Marra. protracted series of court proceedings An Oakville resident for the past 32 that lasted years...There were five years, O'Marra said he was drawn to the accused and five sets of lawyers and I law by both the large number of lawyers was privileged enough to do that case, in his family, including his father and assisted by two wonderful assistant Crown uncle, and by a childhood fascination with attorneys." the practice of law. O'Marra said the jury ultimately arrived "I can remember an incentive to me was at verdicts he called reasonable and approprithat powerful movie that was based on the book ate with three of the men involved in the killing To Kill a Mockingbird d,'" said O'Marra. being convicted of second-degree murder while "Gregory Peck played the lawyer Atticus Finch two others involved received manslaughter sentencand I remember watching that movie and thinking, es. `Boy I'd love to be a trial lawyer.' That, combined with O'Marra's appointment to the position of Justice of the my father's influence, I think, led me to the law," said Superior Court of Ontario was not something that was O'Marra. expected. After fulfilling his dream in 1977, He said he filed an application to be O'Marra worked at his father and uncle's ERIC RIEHL / OAKVILLE BEAVER considered for a Justice position some time law firm, O'Marra & O'Marra, in Port Credit, where he received a wide array of ON THE BENCH: Oakville resident Brian O'Marra has been appointed to serve as a Justice of the ago, but then went on with his life and practice. experience dealing with criminal, civil and Superior Court of Ontario. "It was just something that was of interfamily law cases as well as matters involvest and I thought if it happened that would ing real estate, the drawing up of wills and be great and if it didn't happen I'd have a more. "I can remember an incentive to me was that powerful movie that was wonderful career as the Crown attorney of w O'Marra joined the Crown attorney's office in based on the book, To Kill A Mockingbird. Gregory Peck played the Halton," said O'Marra. H Brampton as an assistant Crown in 1982 where lawyer Atticus Finch and I remember watching that movie and thinking, With the application finally bearing fruit, he would work for 11 years before being `Boy I'd love to be a trial lawyer.' That, combined with my father's O'Marra said he is comforted by the fact the O appointed Halton Crown attorney in 1993. Crown attorney's office in Halton is a very C "That was a great honour for me," he said. influence, I think, led me to the law." strong one with excellent counsel in it. s "I really enjoyed that role and I was very sat"I know the office is in good hands," he isfied and challenged in it." Justice Brian O'Marra, Superior Court of Ontario said. s O'Marra said working as both a defence Acting Crown Attorney Tony MacKinnon council and Crown attorney has caused him to will serve in O'Marra's role until a permanent w develop a profound respect for both professions, Crown Attorney is appointed. C each of which, he says, are integral to Canada's By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF H