WITNESS AGAINST LAWYER 'LIES LIKE HE BREATHES': DEFENCE

Accused of Assisting Hells Angels Drug Deals, Attorney Charged With Gangsterism

It is not every day that lawyers sit in as spectators on trials in
which they have no stake. But then, it is not every day one of their
colleagues is defending himself against allegations of gangsterism
and obstructing justice. Several lawyers took seats in a Montreal
courtroom where closing arguments were heard yesterday in the
Superior Court case against Benoit Cliche, 48, a lawyer charged with
committing an offence to benefit a criminal organization.

He is alleged to have acted as a messenger and peacemaker for a drug
trafficking network run by Steven (Bull) Bertrand, who had close ties
to the Hells Angels.

Cliche's lawyer, Jacques Larochelle, depicted key crown witness Andre
Bernier, a drug dealer turned informant, as someone who "lies like he
breathes" and was trying to snare a defence lawyer to impress his
police handlers.

Bernier testified that Cliche called him to his office on Feb. 6,
2003, for a meeting with other dealers who worked under Bertrand
while the latter was serving time in a federal penitentiary.

Bernier wanted to talk to someone in Bertrand's organization about
the poor quality of cocaine he was being supplied, and about threats
he was receiving over marijuana that vanished.

Cliche appeared to have set up the meeting after visiting Bertrand in
prison the day before, Bernier said. While Cliche did not discuss
drug trafficking with him, Bernier said, Cliche shook his hand at the
end of the meeting and said: "Don't worry. We are going to take care of this."

Larochelle told the jurors that if all the Crown has to rely on is
Bernier's testimony, they can't find Cliche guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Prosecutor Pierre Proulx argued that outside evidence supports
Bernier's testimony.

Justice Jean-Guy Boilard is expected to instruct the jury today.