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Guilty plea expected in Vancouver Trump rally CBC reporter assault

A man accused of assaulting a CBC reporter at a Vancouver pro-Trump rally on the day of the U.S. Capitol insurrection intends to plead guilty to the charge
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The case returns to Downtown Community Court on April 25, 2022 | Photo: Bob Kronbauer

The man accused of assaulting a CBC reporter at a Trump rally intends to plead guilty, his lawyer told a Vancouver Downtown Community Court judge on April 11.

Chris Savva is accused of assaulting journalist Ben Nelms.

Nelms was attacked as protesters were gathered on the sidewalk in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Jan 6, 2021, the day of the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Some held signs saying "TRUMP 2020," others waved U.S. flags with the country's Second Amendment about the right to bear arms scrawled on them, and some paraded placards proclaiming "BIBLE OVER LOGIC OVER SCIENCE 100%."

Around the midway point of the protest, one person involved lunged at photojournalist Nelms, punched him in the face, then walked away.

Savva was charged on Dec. 13 and was released on conditions.

He did not appear in Downtown Community Court (DTCC) on April 7; instead, he was represented by lawyer Matt Smith.

Smith told Judge Elizabeth Burgess he was prepared to set a date for sentencing.

Crown prosecutor Damien Assonitis said that could not be done in DTCC and the case would have to move next door to Vancouver provincial court.

The case returns to DTCC on April 25 to set dates.

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